Lackawanna Blues

TV-14

2005

1 hr. 35 min.

Drama

List

75%

8 Reviews

Tomatometer

91%

2,500+ Ratings

Audience Score

In the 1950s and '60s, young Ruben Santiago Jr. (Marcus Franklin) lives in a lively boardinghouse in the blue-collar town of Lackawanna, New York, with his father (Jimmy Smits) after his parents separate. Run by the motherly Nanny Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson) and her taciturn husband (Terrance Dashon Howard), the boardinghouse residents, including The Bandleader (Mos Def), singer Pauline (Macy Gray) and cabaret owner Dick Barrymore (Ernie Hudson), teach the young boy about life and art.

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steve d

The actors rather than the script make this one work.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I love this movie and it has a great cast.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/01/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I found this to be an excellent movie, one you must have in your movie library. The whot cast is excellent, you will enjoy every moment from start to finish I guarantee.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/14/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Well developed characters and touching story. It truly highlighted the era and one woman's undying strength and service to others. Merkerson was spectacular along with so many others of the cast. Great ensemble.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Love this movie... This how we use to do...When we onced our own....

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A must see! outstanding movie!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/25/23

Full Review

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George C. Wolfe

Director

S. Epatha Merkerson

Rachel "Nanny" Crosby

Marcus Carl Franklin

Ruben Santiago Jr.

Yasiin Bey

The Bandleader

Jeffrey Wright

Mr. Paul

Jimmy Smits

Ruben Santiago Sr.

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John Leonard

New York Magazine/Vulture

Even in deep-pore close-ups, it's not stagey in the slightest; it's been crosscut to a Godfather-ly fare-thee-well, and there are some Orson Welles palm prints all over a snow-globe shot.

Jan 23, 2018

Full Review

Richard Roeper

Ebert & Roeper

It's a wonderful lead performance.

Jan 31, 2005

Full Review

Film Threat

Rated: 3/5

Dec 6, 2005

Full Review

Phil Hall

Film Threat

Everyone's efforts were sadly wasted.

Rated: 1.5/5

Aug 26, 2005

Full Review

Amber Wilkinson

Eye for Film

Bursting at the seams with talented performers, no one misses a beat, conjuring up an atmosphere so vivid, you can taste it.

Rated: 5/5

Feb 19, 2005

Full Review

Harvey S. Karten

Compuserve

An invigorating movie full of sexual energy.

Rated: B+

Feb 11, 2005

Full Review

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Synopsis

In the 1950s and '60s, young Ruben Santiago Jr. (Marcus Franklin) lives in a lively boardinghouse in the blue-collar town of Lackawanna, New York, with his father (Jimmy Smits) after his parents separate. Run by the motherly Nanny Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson) and her taciturn husband (Terrance Dashon Howard), the boardinghouse residents, including The Bandleader (Mos Def), singer Pauline (Macy Gray) and cabaret owner Dick Barrymore (Ernie Hudson), teach the young boy about life and art.

Director: George C. Wolfe
Rating: TV-14
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (DVD): Jan 16, 2007