This documentary is as compelling as any political thriller. Indeed, Marshall Curry's depiction of Cory Booker's 2002 campaign for the mayor's office in Newark is full of exhilarating highs, devastating lows, and all the plot twists and suspense of a good potboiler. However, the reason that the end result remains compelling throughout is that Curry never loses sight of the human story between the events and always keeps it front and center. Some might consider Street Fight slanted since it favors Booker's side of the story, but Curry actually shows a surprising amount of restraint given his negative treatment by Newark mayor Sharpe James' staff. He merely presents James' many manipulations of the truth and allows them to speak for themselves. As the viewer witnesses the repercussions of the mayor's smear campaign -- particularly its effect on the more gullible members of his constituency -- the film creates a disturbing portrait of how the manipulation of emotion is often more important than the issues in a political campaign. Thus, Street Fight is an invaluable insight into how some things never change in the world of politics.