Hoodlum

R

Released Aug 27, 1997

2 hr. 10 min.

Crime

Drama

List

43%

21 Reviews

Tomatometer

65%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

Having just been released from jail, Bumpy Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) returns to his criminal ways as a linchpin in the African-American-run numbers racket. However, Bumpy's longtime friend Illinois Gordon (Chi McBride) and girlfriend Francine Hughes (Vanessa Williams) are both eager to get him back on the straight and narrow. But a brewing rivalry with Mafia boss Lucky Luciano (Andy Garcia) and his henchman Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth) threatens to raise the stakes to dangerous new levels.

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Jelisije J

An enjoyable gangster flick where the tone is all over the place, but leaves a memorable experience at the end of the day.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/24

Full Review

T23Byon M

Urban Godfather sequel. Very different but unique classic in it's own right.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/12/23

Full Review

andre k

Laurence Fishburne!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Harlem-set gangster film that at 130 minutes feels too long, but has enough underdeveloped storylines to feel like it's not long enough.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Boring, predictable, over-dramatized, bad acting, unrealistic, over-the-top.

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I went with 2 movies I hold a soft spot for this movie because I have never heard about it or seen it till my bf showed it to me many years ago. I own this movie now it is one of his faves as it is one of my better movies that I have seen. Based on a true story set in Harlem NY years ago good story acting and actors, I say go give this movie a watch.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

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Bill Duke

Director

Laurence Fishburne

Bumpy Johnson

Tim Roth

Dutch Schultz

Vanessa Williams

Francine Hughes

Andy Garcia

Lucky Luciano

Cicely Tyson

Stephanie St. Clair

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Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: B

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Apr 12, 2002

Full Review

Susan Stark

Detroit News

Rated: 3/4

Jan 1, 2000

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Creative Loafing

Impressively mounted if overly familiar gangster tale.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jul 24, 2016

Full Review

Michael Dequina

TheMovieReport.com

This slow-going, talky film is in a constant struggle to hold the audience's interest.

Rated: 2/4

Feb 14, 2009

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: 3/5

Jul 28, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

Having just been released from jail, Bumpy Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) returns to his criminal ways as a linchpin in the African-American-run numbers racket. However, Bumpy's longtime friend Illinois Gordon (Chi McBride) and girlfriend Francine Hughes (Vanessa Williams) are both eager to get him back on the straight and narrow. But a brewing rivalry with Mafia boss Lucky Luciano (Andy Garcia) and his henchman Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth) threatens to raise the stakes to dangerous new levels.

Director: Bill Duke
Executive Producer: Bill Duke, Laurence Fishburne, Helen Sugland
Screenwriter: Chris Brancato
Distributor: United Artists, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co: United Artists
Rating: R
Genre: Crime, Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 27, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 16, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $23.5M
Sound Mix: Surround, DTS

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