Lackawanna Blues (2005)

In a story fueled by rhythm and blues, a young boy's life is shaped by love and the stories of a cast of characters in the boarding house where he lives in 1960s Lackawanna, New York.

Director:

George C. Wolfe

Writers:

Ruben Santiago-Hudson (play), Ruben Santiago-Hudson (teleplay)

Stars:

S. Epatha Merkerson, Marcus Carl Franklin, Yasiin Bey

Won 1 Golden Globe. Another 29 wins & 41 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
S. Epatha Merkerson	...	Rachel "Nanny" Crosby
Marcus Carl Franklin	...	Ruben Santiago Jr. (as Marcus Franklin)
Yasiin Bey	...	The Bandleader (as Mos Def)
Carmen Ejogo	...	Alean
Bill Simms Jr.	...	Self
Louis Gossett Jr.	...	Ol'lem Taylor
Macy Gray	...	Pauline
Terrence Howard	...	Bill Crosby (as Terrance Dashon Howard)
Ernie Hudson	...	Dick Barrymore
Delroy Lindo	...	Mr. Lucious
Rosie Perez	...	Bertha
Ruben Santiago-Hudson	...	Freddie Cobbs
Liev Schreiber	...	Ulysses Ford
Jimmy Smits	...	Ruben Santiago Sr.
Patricia Wettig	...	Laura's Mother

Storyline

In the 1950s and 1960s, Ruben Santiago-Hudson Jr. lives in a lively boardinghouse in the blue-collar town of Lackawanna, New York, with his father after his parents separate. Run by the motherly Nanny Crosby and her taciturn husband, the boardinghouse residents, including The Bandleader, singer Pauline and cabaret owner Dick Barrymore, teach the young boy about life and art.

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Plot Keywords:

ex convict | reference to muhammad | reference to w.e.b. du bois | 1960s | new york | 

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Taglines:

Play it. Sing it. Shout it. Feel it.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Certificate:

PG-13

Did You Know?

Trivia

Ruben Santiago-Hudson insisted his daughter Lily be cast in a cameo as Laura's daughter. But his son Trey, a twin with Lily, wanted to appear in the movie as well, which Ruben accepted. In real life, the character of the abused Laura only had a daughter, not a twin daughter and son. The scene where Laura comes to Nanny's house in the middle of the night with her son and daughter after leaving her abusive husband is accurately re-created word-for-word as Ruben remembered from that night.

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Goofs

During the club scenes during the 1950s, there are a number of 45 rpm singles hanging on the walls. One is a Columbia Records single with the 1970s design and logo.

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Quotes

Ruben Santiago Jr.: How long you been taking care of people, Nanny?
Rachel "Nanny" Crosby: Phew. Since I was a child. There's always been a part of me that wanted to try to fix things, and people, try to make them feel whole again.
Ruben Santiago Jr.: That's why you got this rooming house?
Rachel "Nanny" Crosby: Not exactly. That just kinda come to me. I was working out at Woodlawn for this white couple; had two beautiful boys. On Saturday before my day off, I'd bake cakes and pies so they'd have some sweets after they Sunday dinner. Hmm. The lady of the house was so impressed, she...

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Connections

Featured in At the Movies: Hide and Seek/Rory O'Shea Was Here/Lackawanna Blues/Bride and Prejudice/Aliens of the Deep (2005)

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Soundtracks

That's All I Need
Written by Sam Maghett
Performed by Ricky Fante
Produced by Josh Deutsch

User Reviews

Marvelous enjoyment

Superb editing, outstanding acting, especially by Epatha Merkerson, and highly enjoyable musical soundtrack. This film reaches back to the 40's to comment on the racial lifestyle differences and some effect of desegregation while it weaves the true story of a truly admirable and fantastic lady.

The actor portraying the young Terrence Howard character does a wonderful job reflecting the life and times of his upbringing in the small upstate New York town. The audience laughed, cried, and erupted in applause for the film and its director.

Soon to be shown on HBO (Feb 7, I believe) - fire up the TIVO and enjoy a great story!

Details

Official Sites:

HBO [United States]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 February 2005 (USA)

Also Known As:

Lackawanna Blues

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$12,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

HBO Films, Good Shepherd Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1