This is Bill Duke's second period film set in Harlem, after "A Rage in Harlem" (1991). Bumpy is the far-sighted strategist who sees that it's better to talk than fight Dutch is the thug who itches to start shooting. Imagine a modern corporation run along the same lines. One thing that has kept the Mafia from attaining more power in the United States is that it has a tendency to murder its most ambitious members the guys who keep a low profile may survive, but are not leadership material.
He doesn't mind if Schultz takes over Harlem, but is prepared to do business with the Queen and Bumpy if that's the way things work out. His nominal boss is the powerful Lucky Luciano ( Andy Garcia), who disapproves of Schultz because of the way he dresses ("You got mustard on your suit''), and is inclined to stand back and see what happens. The mob has up until now let Harlem run its own rackets, but Dutch Schultz ( Tim Roth) moves in, trying to take over the numbers. She's from the islands, elegant, competitive. Clair ( Cicely Tyson), known as the Queen of Numbers. It's the only home-grown business we got.'' The game is run by Stephanie St. Francine sees the good in Bumpy, and encourages him to make something of himself, but Bumpy defends his career choice: "The numbers provide jobs for over 2,000 colored folks right here in Harlem alone.
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