Prince of Broadway

Released Sep 3, 2010

1h 42m

Drama

List

84%

Tomatometer

19 Reviews

87%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

In New York City's Flatiron District, Lucky (Prince Adu), newly arrived from Ghana, hocks fake designer products out of back rooms with his partner, Levon (Karren Karagulian). Modestly successful in their gray market endeavors, the duo are satisfied. Lucky's cheerful life takes an unexpected turn, however, when his toddler son comes to live with him. Now, burdened with the responsibility of fathering a child, Lucky must readapt to the pressures of life as a petty criminal.

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David Lewis

San Francisco Chronicle

Director Sean Baker's fascinating, impossible-to-categorize film relies on handheld cameras, improvised dialogue, jump cuts and a very photogenic arena, the city's wholesale fashion district.

Jan 10, 2013

Full Review

Alison Willmore

IFC.com

It uses the immediacy and roughness of its look to its story's advantage, the documentary feel adding to the sense of authenticity, and finds glimpses of beauty.

Jan 10, 2013

Full Review

Kenneth Turan

Los Angeles Times

It's an undeniably small yet almost indefinable film, warmhearted and bittersweet, laced with both humor and tough emotions.

Rated: 4/5

Sep 24, 2010

Full Review

Mattie Lucas

From the Front Row

Something thrilling and vivacious, a microcosm of New York teeming with life, as well as a portrait of the immigrant experience that is both timely and moving.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 5, 2019

Full Review

Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews

A story just as counterfeit as the fake brand purses its characters are pushing.

Rated: C+

Nov 22, 2011

Full Review

Clay Cane

BET.com

Maybe if you aren't familiar with the world 'Prince of Broadway' depicts then this might seem 'real,' but in truth, it was pushed. Furthermore, I haven't heard the n-word used so much since 'Roots.'

Rated: C

Nov 19, 2010

Full Review

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Audience Member

A very inspirational indie filmmaker who won't stop at any cost. Hell of a micro-budget film this is. Bravo.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

For parents hoping their children might begin a Hollywood career early, a close viewing of this movie is recommended. Watching Prince react to the world and people around him is such a delight. This movie is hilarious and heart-warming, please watch it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/11/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I have a few reviews that are unfortunately detailing movies that were a disappointment to me personally, so I thought I should review a movie that really impressed me. This film has already garnered award consideration, and clearly has favorable reviews here on this site. This is really a coming out for director Sean Baker, even though not his first time at the helm. He really has a great eye for painting a picture on screen for us the viewer. Filmed in a great location, with solid performances by Prince Adu and Karren Karagulian. Films like this are great, because they get nowhere near the praise they deserve from the masses, so later when true movie buffs seek out new gems, they just might find a film like this.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/29/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Another winner from Sean Baker. I love this dude. He knocked it out of park with Take Out, one of the most interesting experimental independent films in a long while. And he's knocked it out of park with this one as well. I really wanna be this guy's friend. I really respect him. Here's hoping this film gets enough love on DVD. It had barely a theatrical release, when in a just world, this would be like an academy award contender. But God is dead and we're alone, so

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Audience Member

It took me a little while to get in the mood of this movie, and I never totally got the hang of the dialogue, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Shot in an almost Dogme-like style, it felt almost like a documentary and was an interesting slice of life about the wholesale district in NYC, and the hustlers who work there.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/13/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I'm not a huge fan of the cinematic style involving hand held cameras, jump cuts, and semi-improvised dialogue, but in this case I did enjoy the movie enough to recommend it. I appreciated the gritty images of life on the streets of the wholesale district of NYC, even if I couldn't always understand all the dialogue. There was also a major cuteness factor involving the small child. Last, but not least, the ending was quite satisfying, even if not entirely unexpected. A nice low budget indie effort from the director (who also did the camera work), especially if this cinematic style is your cup of tea.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/14/23

Full Review

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Sean Baker

Director

Prince Adu

Lucky

Karren Karagulian

Levon Krikorian

Keyali Mayaga

Karina

Kat Sanchez

Linda

Aiden Noesi

Prince

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Synopsis

In New York City's Flatiron District, Lucky (Prince Adu), newly arrived from Ghana, hocks fake designer products out of back rooms with his partner, Levon (Karren Karagulian). Modestly successful in their gray market endeavors, the duo are satisfied. Lucky's cheerful life takes an unexpected turn, however, when his toddler son comes to live with him. Now, burdened with the responsibility of fathering a child, Lucky must readapt to the pressures of life as a petty criminal.

Director: Sean Baker
Producer: Darren Dean
Screenwriter: Sean Baker
Distributor: Elephant Eye Films
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 3, 2010, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 1, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $20.4K
Runtime: 1h 42m