Original subtitles

[music]

[Demetrius] I've made some

bad decisions in my life.

My name is Demetrius,

but my friends call me Diggy.

If you would have asked

me yesterday, when will I die?

This is for my niece.

-[Diggy] No!

-[gunshot]

[Diggy]

I would have said I'm going

to live forever, and a day.

[Diggy] So much to do,

so many places to see.

[Diggy] Go!

[police sirens]

[Jalen] Diggy! Come on, man.

[Diggy] I never got to

tell my brother,

"Don't follow in my footsteps."

Sorry,

I couldn't save you, Momma.

I never even

made love before, man.

Out of everything

I wanted to do in my life,

I never heard my father speak.

-How y'all?

-Chilling.

-All right, y'all.

-Be good.

-Good?

-Yeah, man.

-[Diggy] She dropped it off

last night.

-[Jalen] That's crazy.

-Are you allergic to bees, man?

-Yeah, man you know that.

Nine o'clock bees,

Nine o'clock bees, dude.

They are right there

on you, dude, watch out!

Dude, watch--

You stupid man. Y'all!

Everything we deal with

on the street,

you still afraid of bees, man?

Bees can kill you, man.

My face swelled up.

Why are you laughing, man?

Since seven

years old, never fail.

-Calvin is home, man.

I'm leaving.

-Good.

-Good seeing you, man.

-Alright, bro.

Don't go to

Britney's house, man.

I'm gonna go by Jessica.

Ah!

Cal!

Cal! You're home, man?

Ma.

Ma.

Ma?

Ma, where's Calvin?

I don't know, sweetie, probably

at practice or something.

He didn't call or nothing?

[mumbles]

Ma, I told you, you've got

to watch him when I'm not here.

Did you get some more stuff?

Dig, did you

get some more stuff?

Boy, you know you

hear me talking to you.

Yeah, ma.

I got you a little something.

Here, Ma.

Always know how to take good

care of your mama, don't you?

[Inhales deeply]

[exhales]

[phone buzzing]

[music]

Hey, Granny?

Oh, Jalen, my handsome.

Hey.

What are you doing out here?

Oh, I just left from--

with Diggy.

Yeah, I saw that.

Now, I've told you before

just like I told your father,

everything has a seed

and if you plant trouble,

trouble is what

you're going to get back.

-No, I just--

-Jalen, do you want to

end up like your father?

You have to do right.

Baby, you are one

thought away from changing

your life for the good

or for the bad.

-That's why I love you.

-Oh, boy.

You always stand on top of me,

and you always preaching to me.

I love you.

I love you too.

Now baby, if you do right,

then I won't be doing

all this preaching.

You mean everything to me.

Well, listen baby I got

to going over to the church.

-You want me to walk with you?

-No, I'm alright.

You be good. I'm watching you.

Alright.

[music]

[phone ringing]

Yes.

[AVRS] I have a collect call

-from:

-Aaron Davis.

an inmate at San Bernardino

county detention facility,

if you would

like to accept this call--

-Yes, yes!

-[AVRS] If you would like--

Yes, yes, yes!

I will-- Yes, yes!

[AVRS] If you would

like to accept this call--

Yes, I'll accept.

[AVRS]

This call will be recorded

and monitored.

What do you want, Aaron?

Can't I just be calling

to see how you're all doing?

Whenever you call it's because

you want something, Aaron.

-I mean I'm trying.

-Do I--

-How can--

-Just stop.

Come on. Shala you know I--

Why are you calling me?

[Aaron]

What do you want me to do?

You don't have to

do anything for me,

but I'm telling you,

you've got to get your son

off the streets

before he's--

Before he's dead or locked up.

But I'm in jail,

I can't do anything in here.

Aaron...

These streets

are getting worse by the day.

And he doesn't

know that I know, but--

Aaron he's selling drugs,

just like his father used to.

If I can get out,

I can change things.

[Aaron] I promise,

but nobody is listening.

If I get out,

will I have a place to come to?

No, no, no,

he might need you, but I don't.

[buzzer rings]

Well, tell my man

I said what's up, then.

Hey, Ma.

-Are you OK?

-Yeah.

-How long have you

been standing there?

-Long enough.

It's okay to cry, alright?

Young woman, come into my

office, come on,

come talk to me.

[phone buzzing]

[door rattling]

-What's going on, man?

-What's up? I've missed you

in and out these past few days.

-I was just playing ball.

-You better be, boy.

Hey, go check your room,

I got you something.

-You got my uniform!

-You know it, man.

-Thanks, Diggy.

-Of course, man. Hey!

-Go do your homework now, man.

-I will.

Hey, stop staying up so late.

-I will.

-Go!

[music]

[Davis] God, Lord,

I know you see Jalen,

and I need you to intervene.

[thunder]

I need you, Lord to intervene.

Do whatever you

have to do, Lord,

to get him out of those

streets, do it, Lord.

I trust in you, Lord.

And, Devil I serve you notice.

Let him loose!

He's the Lord's vessel...

In Jesus name, amen.

Amen.

Amen.

[Jalen] I love you, okay?

I've got you.

You know grandma,

I saw her on the way in.

Yeah, she's trying to get

me to read the Bible and stuff.

Jalen, you're her only

grandchild, what do you expect?

Swear that lady is a detective.

Can I ask you a question?

How come you

never say you love me?

Jalen?

Jalen, You--

You know I love you even though

I might not always

say it, so stop that.

-Stop, what?

-Stop, stop, stop

with all of the mushy stuff.

[Preacher] Forgiveness

is not about anybody else.

Forgiveness is a gift

that you give yourself.

You've got to let go of it,

because if you don't let go

of whatever the offense is,

you will always

be your limitation.

You are too strong

to be suffering.

Only weak people

hold on to unforgiveness.

God has a plan for your life,

if you don't let go of it,

you'll never reach that plan.

The Bible say that only

the pure in heart will see God.

So whatever it takes you've

got flush all of it out of you.

You've got to do it for

yourself and your future,

for your children and

your children's children.

Loose it and let it go today.

[prison buzzer]

Hey, baby.

Momma.

How are you?

I'm keeping it together.

How are you?

They won't look into my case,

I did not do those things

that they say I did. I didn't.

That may be,

but, I believe that God is going

to work this thing out.

You can say that

for somebody else.

Now, Aaron...

you were raised in the church,

you know what to do.

You have to repent

for the things you've done

and you've got to

turn your life over to him.

I am sorry for all the things

I've put you through, I am.

I should be out there.

Uh-huh.

You are right where you

need to be, to hear from God.

See out there was a distraction

keeping you from your purpose,

from being a father to your son.

If you ask anything

when you pray,

it will be done

if you have faith.

-[buzzer]

-[guard 1] On your

way back to the cell.

-[guard 2] Time's up,

All inmates let's go.

-Now I got to go.

All inmates let's go.

I love you.

I love you. You got to go.

-[anchors crosstalk] federal

Judge in California has denied-

-Aaron Davis's appeal for his

-double homicide

conviction in November--

-2005.

-The gang leader--

-The gang leader

formally known as A-train.

continues to maintain

his innocence.

Despite what the prosecutors

say is insurmountable

-evidence against him.

-Davis was arrested

near the bloody crime scene

just minutes--

...after the murders.

Davis was arrested

and was later

given a life sentence.

Frequent violence in the prison

has kept Davis

in constant isolation.

...for weeks,

or even months at a time.

[inmate] Hello, Davis?

Your woman ain't

waiting on you, bro.

[Shala] You always get upset,

but so do I because it always

feels like I keep

telling you the same thing

-I know, mom.

-over and over.

All you want to do is

run the street, chase girls.

That's what you do.

That's not what life is about?

You think I want to spend

my time lecturing you?

I don't, but I'm

trying to tell you what's right.

Here, just--

It will only take me a minute.

-Just get in there.

-I will be right

over there, okay?

Okay.

-Hi, how can I help you, ma'am.

-Hi, I'm here to see Ms. Davis.

-May I ask your name?

-Shala Davis.

Hi, Shala Davis

is here to see you.

Great, she'll be right with you.

Thank you.

[singing and playing guitar]

Come on, you got this, just--

Over here.

♪ God is love ♪

♪ God is love ♪

♪ I can feel him all around us

Breathe, breathe, breathe.

Just relax, okay.

I can play it for you.

Were you

listening this whole time?

May I?

Sure.

I'm not really a singer, but

I can do what you do, okay?

Let me see.

Let me see if I got this.

Alright, so--

You repeat that first line,

you were saying

God is love, right.

Just repeat it,

and maybe speed it up a little.

Okay.

♪ God is love ♪

♪ God is love ♪

♪ -God is love

-God is love ♪

♪ God is love ♪

♪ I can feel him all around us

Wow!

[laughs] You got some talent.

-Thank you.

-You're a beast.

You wrote a verse

for the chorus yet?

I have, yeah.

-It's going to be

a beautiful song.

-Thank you.

I'm not really into

the whole gospel thing,

but I appreciate it

when I hear it.

-I'm Jalen by the way.

-Paris.

-Nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

And gospel is

the best music in the world.

You clearly don't

listen to rap, okay?

Yeah, not really.

Are you a rapper?

You don't sound like a rapper.

Actually, I am not.

I just like listening to it.

That's cool.

I'm here almost every day, and

I've never seen you here before.

My grandma works here.

My mom's car won't start,

so we have to use hers.

That's why I'm here. A little

bit too much information.

-That's good.

-It looks like I may

have a good reason

to come back

a little bit more often.

-Who is your grandma?

-Camilla Davis.

-Oh, that's my music teacher.

-No way?

-Yeah. She is the best.

-She's is amazing, right?

Yeah.

Can I have

my guitar back, please?

Oh, sorry.

Thank you.

My dad is a counselor here too.

So whenever he's

teaching a class,

I go to her after-school

music program,

or I hang here

until my dad is done.

Why don't you just go home?

My mom died when I was 12,

so there is no one

to really go home to.

Sorry to hear that.

-Are you okay?

-I'm fine.

I don't know why people

always get so weirded out,

and feels sorry for me

when I tell them my mom died.

Well, maybe because they should.

That's moms, I couldn't imagine.

Moms are everything, you know?

Yeah.

She was pretty awesome,

and I miss her,

but, you know,

dads are important too.

I wouldn't really know.

I don't know my father.

-Uh, you know what?

I'm gonna have to run.

-Sorry about that.

-I'll see you guys tomorrow

at three, right?

-Yeah.

-Bye.

-Thanks, Mr. Monty.

Speaking of fathers...

-Hi, Dad.

-Who is this?

-Hi, Daddy, how are you?

-Hey.

Listen, I'm sorry, baby.

The meeting ran over, you know.

Daddy, you say that every day.

How was school?

It was good.

Same old, same old.

Aced that math test, though.

-What's up. [laughs]

-Oh, I'm so sorry.

How rude of me. Uhm,

Daddy, this is my friend.

How are you doing?

I'm Jalen, man.

Yeah. You can call me Mr. Monty.

[laughs]

Looks like you have

a bit of a wardrobe

malfunction there, son,

with your pants.

-No, I'm good.

-No, no, no in the back.

-This.

-Hey, man!

-Exposure.

-Chill!

Take your hands off my son!

Come on, Jalen. Let's go.

Come on, let's go.

What did I tell you

about hanging out

with those knuckleheads?

Seriously, Daddy?

-What's up, Diggy?

-Tony.

I've been calling

your phone all day.

My bad, man. My ringer

was off. You know how it is.

I was at school,

we can't have them on.

Why do you got

the phone at school then?

Safety, man.

Look, man, where is my money?

I don't have it, you see.

Where is Tara at?

You're keeping her nice?

My mom has got

nothing to do with this, man.

-What did you say?

-I got it, though.

I got it, bro.

It's just not on me.

See, tomorrow, man.

I promise, man.

I will get it for y'all.

Come here, Diggy.

Come here, man!

Look.

I like you, alright?

I really do.

Now, if you don't have

that money by tomorrow...

-Pow.

-Understand?

Yeah, man.

I'll see you tomorrow, alright?

Let's roll, Dread.

Make sure you answer your phone.

[car starting]

[Ms. Davis] Dear, Lord.

Help him.

Bring him out.

Free him from all captivity

mental and

spiritual and physical.

I pray in faith

that you will uncover every

hidden thing that

the enemy has tried to cover.

[Darren] Hello, Davis.

You're in here for life, man.

Don't forget that.

[Shala] You failed him

miserably,

because he is now living just

like you without his father.

What did you say? What did you

tell me? I got you, baby,

I got you.

You got me stuck.

-[Diggy] Jalen! Go!

-[gunshot]

[Diggy] Go, man, go!

[Davis] You were

raised in the Church.

You know what to do.

-You embarrassed me, Dad.

-What?

Look, I just came up

to see how you're doing.

I had been waiting for you

all day, and all of a sudden,

when I started

talking to Jalen,

oh, now I have your attention?

No.

Look, baby.

You know I get busy sometimes.

Listen, sweetie, you know--

You know you are my world.

-My world, and there

is nothing without you.

-What is wrong?

Baby, what's going on, huh?

Paris, are you missing your mom?

I'll tell you what.

I will start picking you up

after school, alright?

Now, I have

to work on my schedule and

it might be a bit of a stretch

-but I'll make it happen.

-Never mind, Dad.

-Baby, what do you want?

-I want my dad!

-You have me!

-For what?

The one hour

in the morning before school?

The 30-minute car ride home?

Your weekends are

consumed with your stupid

weekend conferences

and your book signings.

Okay, cool. Saturday we

eat at grandma's house,

but by the time Sunday

comes around, you're too busy

with football and basketball.

And here comes Monday and

the cycle starts all over again.

I'm tired

of sharing you with everybody.

You have me, baby.

I promise, alright?

Just let daddy take care of

a few things.

That's what you said last

time and the time before that.

[gospel song]

-[phone ringing

-[Paris] Hey, daddy.

[Monty]

Listen, now's not a good time.

[prison guard] Let's go!

-[Monty] Daddy is getting

ready to start a session.

-[Paris] Again?

Yes. I know, sweetheart.

-[Paris] Seriously?

-[Monty] I know, I know.

-[Paris] I'm just gonna go.

-[Monty] What?

-[Paris] I'll find a ride.

-A ride in the middle--

-[Paris] Whatever.

-Hello.

Hello.

[laughs] She hung up on me.

Uh, first of all,

I'd like to thank you all for

agreeing to be part of

this program for inmates.

Alright,

I commend you for taking that

first step

to being better fathers.

Now, I'm gonna give you

the information

to be better fathers

to your kids.

Now I spoke to the warden

and he gave me clearance

for your children and,

or your children's mothers

to be part of the program.

I already know my baby

and momma ain't coming.

She's the reason I'm in here.

Can we throw in

some conjugal visits?

[laughter]

When you leave this class,

you're gonna be happy that

you came and overall better men.

This class is offered

in order for you to get

honest with yourselves.

And how about you?

Can you take

an honest look at yourself?

And you must be

Aaron Davis, right?

Yeah, that's my name.

Just didn't answer

the question, though.

Can you be real?

[chuckles]

Well, you see, Aaron, uhm.

This isn't about me.

You see, I'm not

the one sitting in your seat.

Yeah, but you want

to know our stories.

Each and every one of you

should look at your neighbor

and speak the truth.

For we are

members one of another.

-What did that dude say?

-Thank you. Thank you, brother.

-What's up with you, bro?

-Whoa, whoa. Let's bring it in.

-[Monty] Bring it in, fellows.

-My name is Randy.

I speak what's given to me.

Tsk.

So you know a few scriptures,

so what?

Ain't nothing special about you.

Oh, so you know scriptures?

You answer my questions,

and I'll answer yours.

Alright, Aaron. I can do that.

I can be honest.

Guess class can start, guys.

[everybody] Yeah.

Well, thank you, Aaron.

Ah, let's try this again.

My name is Monty

and I'm from Chicago.

Chi-town, hey!

Hey! Hey!

Put your hand down, fool,

before I break some.

Uh-uh, uh-uh. Not here.

Now that will be the first

and last warning, gentlemen.

Okay, so I moved here in 1992,

to teach at the university.

I taught psychology

for 10 years, and I still

do it from time to time.

Hey, man, when do you

find time for your own daughter?

[laughter]

Well, that's, uh, it's really

none of your business.

For your information, I have

plenty of time for my daughter.

So When was the

last time you took your

little princess for ice cream?

Bet you never considered

the fact that I might

be innocent, huh?

That punk cracked him.

Running around

like he is innocent.

The police know too. They know.

They ain't going

to do nothing about it.

And neither will he.

Sitting behind this

little podium, judging us.

Trying to show us

how to be fathers.

Ain't no difference

between me and you, partner.

These people always

come here and lie to us.

We're tired of being lied to.

We won't walk out of here,

until you could start

being honest with us.

[agreeing sounds]

Tsk.

[chuckles]

I haven't been a very good

father to my daughter.

I don't spend time

with her like I should.

And I know

that's what she wants,

but I can't give it to her.

I can see the hurt in her eyes,

yet I choose to ignore it.

You see,

when I look at my daughter,

she reminds me

of my late wife, Erica,

and how much I miss her.

She died when

my daughter was 12.

The older she gets, the

more she looks like her mother.

Her smiles, her laugh, her eyes.

She is a constant reminder

that my Erica is gone forever.

The truth is...

I have-- I haven't gotten

over the death of my wife,

but there it is.

[applause]

Thank you.

Thank you, guys.

[whispering]

What you doing out here?

Oh, hey.

I'm just taking

some time to myself.

It's my favorite place

to come relax and read.

It's getting dark.

You should probably be

getting back to the church.

Let me walk you.

On one condition.

What's that?

Come sit and talk

with me for a bit.

I can't resist that,

so I'm going to sit right there.

[laughing]

So, how was your day?

No one ever really asks me that.

-Feels nice.

-Really?

Yeah.

Well, I promise to ask you

how your day goes

every time I see you.

Really, does that mean you're

going to be seeing me a lot?

It depends.

Depends on what?

If we could meet here

sometimes after school,

I'll tell you about my day

and you tell me about yours.

I like that, I'm cool with that.

You're different from the other

chicks I've been messing with.

-Excuse me?

-No, that came--

Chicks lay eggs, Jalen.

You couldn't find a different

word to describe a female?

That's how you see me, a chick?

And who says that we're

messing with each other?

I didn't mean

to say it like that.

-Is that all you want?

-Eh, eh--

-Eh, eh.

-Eh--

-Got you!

-Oh, man!

I had a mini-heart attack

right there.

-I could tell.

-Oh, my goodness, you're funny.

[laughter]

I like it, though.

Rivers run deep with you.

Come on, we should be

getting back to the church.

Just so you know,

you're not alone.

I've felt that type

of way about my father

not being there for me either.

Really? Thought your father

is in your life.

[chuckles] My dad lives with me,

he provides for me,

but he isn't there for me.

There's a difference.

Wow.

You know

I always took your father

to be the type to take you

on long walks on the beach,

daddy-daughter dates,

mani-pedis together.

[chuckles] No, I wish.

I couldn't tell you

the last time we've done

anything like that.

Do you ever try

to just talk to him?

No, you know,

I would feel guilty

taking him away

from people who need him.

At least you've got access

to your pops,

I never had that privilege.

You know,

my mom has tried to hook

me up with some of my uncles

and some of her

close guy friends,

that never really worked out.

Why not?

So, my moms--

None of her attempts

ever really worked out,

most of the dudes was trying

to hook up with her anyways,

except this one,

his motives was all wrong.

What happened?

If you don't want to talk about

it, Jalen you don't have to.

No, it's cool.

So... this one cat

says he wants to take me hiking.

He told my mom

he'll be like my big bro.

Took me to this lake

in the middle of nowhere.

Jalen, it's okay

you can talk to me,

you're safe with me.

So he takes me to this lake

in the middle of nowhere,

starts taking off his clothes

and he told me to get in.

I had bad vibes,

but he assured me that

everything was fine, you know.

Back then I couldn't swim.

He said he would

teach me how to swim.

So I'm like,

"Cool, you're like my big bro."

As soon as I get in the water,

he's all up on me.

Didn't feel right,

so I got out ASAP.

Got all my clothes on

soaking wet

then he starts screaming at me,

"Get back in the lake

or I'm gonna leave you here."

I didn't know what to do, so...

I just ran into the woods.

And I just walked

and walked and walked

till it was dark.

Back then I watched

a lot of scary movies.

You know what happens to

people like us in the woods.

[laughs] I was scared,

but luckily...

Just like a miracle,

I heard these girls camping out.

They took me home.

Wow, Jalen, I'm so sorry

you had to go through that.

You had to be really brave.

How old were you?

I was eight years old.

You know,

I can't help but think,

if my father

was in my life, that things

would be different, you know.

I never told anybody that story.

You the first

and the last, alright?

[laughs]

I hope you know

you're safe with me.

I know, Paris.

You know how they say

God has a plan for all of us?

Something is telling me

God has a plan for you and I.

He is bringing us together,

to help us understand

our fathers,

and to forgive them.

You really think so?

Yeah.

[Paris] My guitar, my guitar.

Oh, shoot.

[singing]

Child, what are

you still doing here?

I'm sorry,

I'm still waiting for my dad.

-Hey, Paris.

-Hey, girls.

What's up?

Wondering around

at night isn't safe, you know?

I know, but I wasn't by myself.

Oh?

Well, who were you with?

And does Mr. Monty know him?

Yes, he's actually

already met him.

But does he know that you're

gallivanting around at nights

-with him, though?

-It's not like that, Ms. Davis,

-He's actually your grandson.

-Who?

-Jalen.

-Oh, Lord Jesus.

I got to pray about this.

-What, Ms-- You guys.

-Tell her.

-You didn't tell us

you had a new boyfriend.

-Help me out, please.

And what is she

supposed to help you out with?

I don't know anything,

Ms. Davis. Nothing.

Sorry, Miss Davis,

I didn't know either.

You guys are the worst.

I just came for my guitar, jeez.

I'll tell you.

Let's go over this song again.

We've got

about 10 minutes, and Paris,

-why don't you practice with us?

-Okay.

[Ms. Davis] Okay, here we go.

One, two three.

♪ Amazing grace ♪

♪ How sweet the sound ♪

♪ That saved a wretch ♪

♪ Like me ♪

[Congregation]

Our Father who art in heaven.

Hollowed be Thy name.

-Thy kingdom come--

-[Preacher] You must understand

that when God created you,

he created you to be great.

Greatness is in your DNA.

Yes, there may

have been things

that happened in your past,

and some things

that were beyond your control.

Don't allow your past

to defeat you.

In spite of your weakness,

you owe it to yourself

to choose victory over defeat.

In spite of what

you've been through,

you owe it to yourself to win,

and say, "I can make it.

I will win. I am a champion."

I know the Devil told you

you will never make it.

The Devil is a liar.

When people say, "You can't"

you say, "I can".

When the Devil says

you can't, you say I can.

I can! A struggle

can't hold me! I can!

Now, if you choose victory,

clap your hands,

and give God some praise.

[applause]

[inmates] Thy kingdom come.

-Thy will be done, on earth--

-[phone ringing]

[answering machine]

You've reached

attorney Jacksons Office,

please leave a message. [bleep]

[Monty] Listen, Manuel,

you're going to think I'm crazy

but I had

this vision last night.

God has a calling for me.

It-- Just meet me at

the jail house later.

[Manuel]

This case is political, Monty.

A child and an elderly woman

were shot dead.

People want to see

someone pay for this.

Are you certain

that he's innocent?

Yes.

Yeah, I'm sure.

I mean,

this man may be a lot of things,

but I'm telling you

he's not a liar.

You should see the way

these men look up to him.

[Manuel]

He's a gang leader, Monty,

I looked in his file.

Yet, what if that same power,

that same leadership quality

can be used for something good?

I think it's worth a shot.

You better be right

about this, Monty.

Hey.

What is this about? Who is he?

Manuel Jackson.

I'm a defense attorney

and a good friend of Monty's.

He gave me a file.

I must admit,

I see some major discrepancies

that went overlooked.

I'm listening, go ahead.

What he's saying is

he's going

to look into your case

present new evidence

and maybe

get the charges dropped.

I'm not one hundred percent

certain I can get you

out of here,

but I do believe there's

a good chance that I can.

Don't play with me.

I just need to

ask you one question.

Did you rob

that convenience store

and kill that little girl

and that cashier?

I did not rob the store,

or kill any of those people.

So you're 100% innocent?

I'm 100% innocent, sir.

I do not like to be

made a fool of in court.

I got a reputation to uphold,

so if I find out

you're lying to me--

You think this is hell?

I will turn up the heat.

Understood?

Understood, sir.

Well, then.

Sir, you've got yourself

a defense attorney.

I don't have any money

to pay for this.

Brother, I did not

ask you for any money.

Thank you.

Thank you, both.

Game points?

I won, baby, let's go.

Okay.

Yo! Yo, J?

What's good? What's up with you?

What happened

to you last night, bro?

Oh, man, Aaron called the crib,

told my moms

he may be getting out.

Just been thinking.

Thinking? Thinking of what, man?

Bro, why are you always so extra

when I bring up Aaron's name?

Cos he's a liar, bro.

They're all the same, man.

Talking about they gonna

do better when they get out.

I remember when my

sperm donor got out.

Yo, I've never even

heard my father speak.

It's a cold world, man.

Man, let's hoop, man.

-Hey, sorry I'm late.

-Thanks for meeting me.

I think this is the piece

of evidence we've needed.

What am I not understanding,

the police already matched

the same tread to Aaron shoes.

They matched the same tread,

yes, but not the size.

Whoever was there

that night, look closer.

They wore a size nine,

Aaron wears a size 11.

-Look at this.

-Who is Craig Matheson?

Craig Matheson

was picked up four days

after Aaron for burglary.

The fun fact, they were both

wearing the same brand of shoes

but guess what size he wears?

I think you were

right about Aaron.

Let's go and get

him out of there.

Waited at that bus station

for four hours, man.

Punk never showed up.

So I just do my pops.

I still don't know

where that cat is.

-Yo, man. Can I get that?

-Maybe it's our ball.

-Who're these cats, man?

-I don't know, they're

some old heads, man.

I heard a little bit

of the conversation

you was having with your man.

Oh, is that right?

I was just like you, man.

Man, you don't know me.

Mad at my pops for leaving

my moms, hated that dude.

Hated him,

till one day,

this dude on his dying bed in

the hospital, he calls me.

It took everything

in me, man, not to just

let him die and rot in hell.

I had questions,

long story short,

you know what he told me?

He said, He didn't know

how to be something

that he never had for himself.

That mindset, man, that mindset.

So, I made a decision

right then and there,

I said I was going to release

that generational curse.

I'm a dad, man.

Four kids, man.

And it gives me every bit of joy

to watch

those little babies grow up

right before my eyes, man.

I don't know you,

but you going to have to

forgive your pops, yo.

Cause some days

you gonna be a father.

It starts with you, yo.

People always

trying to school somebody, man.

That was deep, though. You need

to start listening, man.

I'm not listening to that dude.

You know, I'll end up just

like my pops anyway, J.

He sold drugs, now I sell drugs.

Nothing like him, man.

He's a big-time drug dealer.

All we do is sell a little weed.

Right?

No, moms ain't

working right now, man.

I had to make some extra cash,

I mean, I got a little counter.

Come on, Diggy, we said we

wasn't going to get trapped

in that world, remember?

-That's real-time, man.

-I know, man.

Gave me your word, though.

Bro, look it's only temporary

until I get moms

back on her feet.

Few more weeks, bro,

I'm done. I promise you, J.

[Cindy] Today, we have

coverage on the highly

publicized trial of Aaron Davis

It was just announced

that all murder charges

against Davis have been dropped

-[Cindy] As of right now,

he is not a suspect.

-[Reporter] Thanks, Cindy.

Aaron Davis, the

former gang leader indicted

for the murder of sibling

Shanna Garfield

has been exonerated

after years of incarceration.

A special appeal was filed

by Manuel Jackson within

the state attorney's office

and after key evidence

was re-examined by the judge,

he immediately placed

a motion for Davis' release.

The next question

authorities are asking is,

"How did this happen,

and how much will Davis settle

with the state for

the wrongful conviction?"

-Hey.

-Hey.

Welcome home.

-Momma, I'm hungry.

-[laughs]

I've cooked all your favorites,

you know I did.

Come on, baby. Grab it. [laughs]

Oh, sweetie.

[laughs]

The food was awesome.

And you know that

there's plenty more

where that comes from.

Oh, I have been

holding something for you.

[music]

What am I

supposed to do with this?

I'm sure you'll

think of something.

-Keep that.

-M-hm.

Thank you.

You're welcome.

-If you still got faith, sing.

-[choir] ♪ I believe ♪

♪ The storm will soon be over ♪

♪ I believe... ♪

♪ The rain will go away ♪

Come on, Shawn, Sing.

♪ I believe ♪

♪ The family will get better ♪

♪ And I believe ♪

♪ God will provide ♪

♪ I believe ♪

♪ The promised land ♪

♪ I believe ♪

-Don't make me shoot you, boy!

-No, man.

Let me guess,

you ain't got my money, do you?

-I was on my way to get it, man.

-You was going to get it?

-Yeah.

-Then why you running?

-I'm not, man.

-Don't lie to me.

I'm not lying, man.

-Not lying, huh?

-No.

-Get on your knees, man.

-What?

Get on your knees.

Get on your knees!

You ain't got to do this, man.

Look, I'm going to ask you

one more time, boy.

Where is my money?

Alright, man. Alright.

Please, man.

I don't got it, and my

mom stole it man, she's sick.

I didn't know what else to do,

man, but I'll tell you,

I'll work it off, man.

I need a little more time, man.

A little more time.

I'll work it off.

I'm gonna get it for you, bro.

I promise, man.

-What are you going to do, huh?

-Anything,

anything you ask, man. I'll do.

Anything.

So this is what you're gonna do.

Is this dude that's just

got off for serving a few years

for killing my niece.

I want you

to kill his son for us.

Who's that?

Aaron Davis.

Got a son named J.

What man? J? I mean, that's

my best friend, I can't--

Look I don't care if

that's your friend!

You either kill him

or you don't!

Cause if you don't,

that little

dope head mama of his...

that little brother of yours,

they're gonna

catch these bullets.

Get my money

and you better kill that boy.

Let's go, Dread.

I'm not playing with you, boy.

[knocking on door]

[Jalen] I got it, ma'.

Jalen.

You're all grown up now,

you're a man.

How are you and your moms doing?

We good, everybody's good.

That's good to hear.

You want to come in?

Is it okay?

Yeah, come on.

[soft piano music]

You can sit.

Uh, Jalen,

I heard you go down

to the community center a lot.

And, uh, I don't know if you

know this, but I work there now.

-That's what's up?

-It's not much,

but at least I can work my way

up from the bottom, you know.

And hopefully

see you every now and then.

Cool.

You want something to drink?

No, I'm-- I'm good.

Listen, Jalen

your mom's home and you're

out here

playing in these streets.

Yeah. What she say?

Alright, bro, you come from me.

I don't want you to make

the same mistakes that I made

and I definitely

made a lot of them.

We're from the same hood,

so we have tendencies of

wanting to make sure

that we hold everybody down.

No, I've been cut that off.

[sighs]

That's good.

I'm proud of you, son.

It's one less thing

I have to worry about.

Ma, are we good?

What are you doing

in my house, Aaron?

Ma, it's okay.

No.

Aaron.

You have to

leave my house, Aaron.

Look, I-- I'm not here to stay.

I really came here

to let you guys know

that I'm in a special program

down at the community center.

And I was hoping you and Jalen

can come by before I graduate.

It's called a

better father programming.

Probably not.

I'll just leave it here.

But I'm not gonna give up.

[Jalen] Wait, wait!

Why did you do that, ma?

Jalen, you're too young

to understand what's going on.

You've been

saying that same line

my entire life,

but he's still my father!

Yeah, I can't

handle this right now.

You can't handle what?

Why did you kick him out, ma?

Answer me, ma?

Why did you do that?

Who do you think

you're talking to?

Who do you think raised you?

He's gonna walk

through the door and

you're going to turn on me now?

Jalen.

That's no problem at all.

Oh, Mr. Davis,

I was beginning to think

we weren't going to see you.

-[Aaron] You lied to me!

-[Monty] What's going on?

Man, I did everything

you told me to do

-and it blew up in my face.

-Alright. Wait, wait.

Let's talk about it, alright?

Everybody, sit down.

Sit down, please!

[Aaron] I made myself

available to my son.

-Well, that's good, Aaron.

-But she did exactly

what I thought she would do.

Trying to act like I

don't deserve to see my son.

-Wait a minute.

-You don't.

You gotta earn that, bro.

You probably lied to her,

probably lied to your boy.

What do you know about

earning, fool?

You know nothing about me

and you don't know nothing

about my situation, partner!

Matter of fact,

you know who I am, huh?

Well, I just got out, but I

don't mind going back for you.

Let's go. Come on, let's go!

-Come on now.

-You ain't got to hold me, bro.

-I ain't-- I'm here.

-Sit down, please.

-You're Lucky,

-Have a seat.

Now, Aaron,

what happened to change, man?

Man, you may not like

what this brother had to say,

but he's telling the truth.

Now change

may be the hardest thing

you have to do in your life.

Man, do you want a relationship

with Jalen or not?

I do, man.

I really do.

No matter how many times

you've got to go back go back.

Do whatever it takes

to see your son.

But my problem is

my son don't respect me

because I'm trying to be

honest and do what's right.

What do I do about that?

Well, all you could do is be

a father to your son. You know.

Teach him to own, not to borrow.

Teach him how to

respect his woman.

Now you stay

on that course and you're

gonna get the respect again

and leave the rest to God.

I can feel that.

I'm sorry about earlier.

Man, you know how we do

where we from, bro.

We're good, bro.

You know, we all make mistakes.

I guess that's why

we are all here, huh?

You are a good dude, man.

Thank you.

Man, that ain't nothing but God.

That reminds me

if any of you would like to

attend church with me tonight,

well, you're more than welcome.

Count me in, man.

I just hope God help me take

care of some of these bills

cause I haven't

been hustling in a while.

Let's hope the church

don't burn down first.

Count me in too. I'll be there.

[Pastor]

Anytime the Devil tells me

I'm not something,

I always say, I am that.

Anytime the Devil

tells me I am something,

I always say I'm not that.

You can do all things through

Christ who strengthens you.

You can make the choice today.

I don't care how deep you are

in it, you are coming out of it.

I declare in Jesus name, that

today is your day of freedom.

[applause]

I hope you know today

that you've been chosen by God.

Chosen to make it. Chosen to

outlast it and outlive it.

Lord Jesus,

His call is upon your life.

You might have to

come out of the clique.

You might have to

come out of the game.

You might

have come out of the club.

-Yes.

-Make no mistake about it.

You are marked by God.

You are a marked man.

You are a marked woman.

Transitions are not fun

and they are not easy,

but let me tell you

something about transition.

Whenever God chooses you,

He'll twist and

turn and He'll change this.

He'll order your steps and

have you at the right place

at the right time.

Yes! Amen.

Hey.

Are you okay?

What's wrong?

Talk to me.

Yo, where you've been, man?

I've been looking for you.

Needed some alone time, man.

Yo, what is wrong with you, J?

[Pastor]

God has touched your life.

He pulled you out of darkness

into His marvelous light.

I don't know who

He's talking to today

but I want you

to identify yourself

by getting up out of your seat

and come down to this alter

and tell God, "God,

I want you to change my life.

You hold the keys to my

destiny." That's it, come on.

I dare you to tell your feet,

"Get to the nearest aisle

and take me to Jesus."

God is about to change you.

I said God is

about to change you.

He's about to take everything

that was working against you

and work it together for you,

who are you today?

I declare that

it changes forever.

My life changes today.

That's it, baby, lift your hands

and allow God to touch you.

Let his spirit rest upon you.

He has marked you for a purpose.

Thank you, God for your purpose.

It's the purpose of God

that shall prevail.

I thank you God that nothing

that we've been through

has the ability

to disqualify us.

I thank you, God

that hell has never created

a sin that the blood

could not wash away.

Excuse me,

we're talking right now.

Man, get your girl

out of my face.

Look, you're overstepping

your boundaries, dawg.

What, you are choosing

a female over me now, bro?

What's up with you, dawg?

Yo, man we got company.

He wants me to smoke you, dawg.

-Paris, You need to

go to the church.

-Jalen, what is going on?

-You need to go right now!

-I don't want to go!

Go. Run!

[Pastor]

Praise you for His power.

Praise Him because every yoke

is destroyed in your praise.

You ought to let the Devil

hear you're praising God!

Let drugs hear you praising God!

Let failure hear

you praising God!

We break the spirit of failure

off of your life today

in the name of Jesus.

Do it, Jesus.

If you don't fix it,

it won't be fixed.

-[preacher in the background]

-I'm so sorry.

I know that I've

put you through so much.

You've been such a blessing

to me, please forgive me.

I pray to God that

you forgive me, please.

[Diggy] Go, man! Go!

Go, man, go!

Go, go, go.

[singing]

[Diggy] Come on!

Come on, bro. Come on.

Digg, this way. This way, Digg.

What you doing, man?

Are you serious right now, man?

You crazy?

I'm sorry, J.

What's taking so long?

Daddy, daddy. Jalen is in

trouble, we have to go,

we have to go.

Go and get Mr. Aaron.

We have to go.

-[indistinct] We gotta go.

-[Paris] Please, hurry.

All you got to do is

cock it back...

and pull the trigger.

Mr. Aaron--

Something is going on

with Jalen and Diggy,

-they're in trouble.

These guys--

-[Aaron] Where are they?

-Where are they?

-They said they were

going to kill Jalen,

I don't know, they're outside.

Go, go, I'll call the police.

[operator]

911, emergency operator 929.

-Okay.

-This is my boy, man.

[Tony] Your boy?

Your boy?

Man, J didn't do it.

He didn't do it?

Who did it then, Diggy?

Just give me a sign.

Anything!

Please help me,

I don't know where he is.

[car horn]

I'm waiting on you.

You are ready to die, huh?

[Aaron] Jalen!

What's going on?

He's going to kill my moms,

and my little bro, man

if I don't do this.

Look, I've hurt a lot of people

and I was wrong for it.

Put the gun down.

Don't ruin

the rest of your life, please.

Please. Please.

Look, I don't even know

what's going on

but whatever it is,

we can fix it.

If they owe you money,

I can pay it.

Just don't hurt my son.

He doesn't want the money, man.

Got the money?

I can find the money.

You all hear this man.

He can find the money.

[laughs] We should be chasing

him all day then, right?

This man.

Hey, look.

Hey, this for my niece.

Pops, no!

[police sirens]

The cops are here, man.

[Dread] Come on, man.

Let's roll out.

Let's move.

[Jalen] Diggy.

Diggy, come on, man.

Put your head up, put your

head up, come on, breathe.

Breath. Alright, bro?

You good. You're good.

-I'm scared, J.

-You good, man. Relax, alright?

We need help!

-I'm scared, J. I'm scared.

-Don't be scared, man,

you good, alright?

You're gonna get past this, man.

-You good.

-Tell my brother

I love him, man.

-I love you, Dawg. Alright.

-I'm sorry.

-I go to church, okay?

-I'm sorry.

I'm going to church every day,

I'm reading the Bible, man.

Okay? I mean--

I love you, man.

Come on we need help, right now!

Stay with me, Diggy.

Stay with me. Stay with me!

Come on, man. Come on, Diggy!

Diggy, wake up, man.

No.

Diggy, wake up, man!

[police sirens]

[knocking on the door]

[Radio] Pursuit,

Los Angeles. Suspect is a male.

Unknown, wearing a red shirt.

Excuse me, ma'am

is your son Demetrius Smith?

[mother crying]

Mom...

Where is Diggy?

Baby.

Ma, it's killing you.

It's killing us.

Ma, I can get you some help.

Calvin and I still need you, ma.

I just miss

the way things used to be.

[crying]

God...

I miss my friend Diggy.

I just hope he's okay.

I just want to

thank you for bringing my pops

back into my life...

and for my girlfriend.

I think she's

my girlfriend, yeah.

I ask that you continue

to make me a better man.

[cheering]

Amen.

[applause]

I think that's when I found God

for the first time.

-[Aaron] That's

an amazing story.

-I feel the same way, bro.

Hey, you missed a spot.

Get the hell out, man.

Is this you?

I was just

about to tell you, kiss my ass.

Yes, how's everything

going with your new positions?

I ain't gonna lie, man.

It's different.

Earning a honest

living is hard work.

Yeah, this is

for the birds, man.

But, it gives us time to think.

As a matter of fact,

me and J got an idea.

We're gonna open up

our own janitorial service.

-Getting other people

to work for us.

-Right.

-We run it.

-See, that's what

I'm talking about.

That's how you do it.

When you have your own

you don't have to answer

to nobody but God.

My grandfather taught me that.

Except that he forgot

to leave out the part

where you have to

answer to your wife, you know.

So, you're ready for later?

I have a feeling

that your life's about

to change for the better.

I don't know, man.

About as ready

as I ever be, I guess.

Oh, man, you going to

be just fine, my brother.

You're an amazing man

and I mean that.

Thank you. Me and J

we'll collect this dollars,

open up this business

and get this money.

Legit paper.

-Save me some.

-We might let you work for us.

Ain't going to happen.

Ain't going to happen.

How are you?

I'm okay,

I miss Diggy a lot, though.

It feels weird not

being able to see him every day.

Yeah. I'm so sorry

about Diggy, Jalen.

How are things with your dad?

Me and Pops, we're good.

Yeah, that's good.

So, you're gonna

come to his graduation?

It's today.

Yeah, I was planning on it.

What's wrong?

This last session

can get really crazy.

A lot of old feelings

can resurface

and... I just want to

make sure you can handle it all.

[soft piano music]

-[Shala] Hey.

-[Monty] Hey.

Hi.

Hi, Aaron.

-Pops.

-Hey, son.

Hey, Jalen. How's it going?

Good, Mr. Monty.

[laughter]

That's good to hear, son.

That's good to hear.

So, you guys ready

for the meeting?

Okay.

[Monty] So, uh...

Listen. First, I'd like to say,

it's been a pleasure

meeting all of you.

This is the first time

that all participants

-have been reunited

with their children.

-Wow.

And that does--

That doesn't usually happen.

And you had a lot

to do with that, man.

Aaron, you have grown so much as

an individual and as a father.

He, uh-- He really wants

this thing to work.

And by thing

I mean the three of you.

Jalen, we're

going to start with you.

Is there anything you

want to say to your pops?

They say it's not how you start

but how you finish, right?

[Monty] Yeah.

So I just want my pops

to know I'm proud of him.

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Don't tell me. Tell him.

I just want you to know

I'm proud of you, Pops.

And I'm happy to have you back

in my life, and I love you.

I love you too.

Are we good?

We're great. We're Gucci.

[laughter]

Shala, what do

you want from Aaron?

Well, uhm.

Well I-- I forgave Aaron

at the altar, but...

I just want to say...

I mean, maybe-- Maybe there's

not going to be an us.

I just want to say...

like if there is

the slightest chance

that you are not

going to be there

as a father in Jalen's life

then please,

please just end it now.

I know it was hard on you

and you held it down

when I was locked up,

but I need you and Jalen both.

I just want to make this right.

I know that this

didn't work the first time.

But, Shala...

I love you with all of my heart

and I'd love you

to marry me again.

Please?

[buzzer]

[woman visitor] Yeah, I know.

Hey, Calvin, I'm your father.

-You want to help?

-Are you going to help?

Will you get out of here?

You're in trouble.

[Davis] Hey, hey, hey, hey.

Put that ball down.

-[Davis] What is

wrong with you?

-[Aaron] Go and get that ball.

Like a party to me.

What's up, girl?

How are you doing, baby?

-Hey.

-Getting the ball in the house.

[Jalen]

What's wrong with you all.

[Davis] Crazy. All crazy.

-Let's go all...

-Let's eat!

I had to preach

and teach to y'all

and tell you all what to do.

Y'all grown men. Well, what

I'll really say is, you know,

it's time to go home

and do the right thing.

Cause none of us really

want to be in here,

you know what I mean?

I mean y'all talk every day

about what we need to do.

First of all,

I'd like to say that it feels so

good to see all of us together.

-[Monty] Yes, indeed.

-Bow your heads.

Lord, we humbly come to you once

again asking for forgiveness

and thanking you for this

wonderful, wonderful food.

-Yes, Lord.

-In Jesus name.

-Amen.

-[everybody] Amen!

I didn't want to be too long.

I'm hungry.

[music]