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Lackawanna Blues

  • TV Movie
  • 2005
  • PG-13
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.8/10
2.6K
YOUR RATING
Lackawanna Blues (2005)
DramaMusic

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.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.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
  • Writer
    • Ruben Santiago-Hudson
  • Stars
    • S. Epatha Merkerson
    • Marcus Carl Franklin
    • Yasiin Bey
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.8/10
    2.6K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • George C. Wolfe
    • Writer
      • Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • Stars
      • S. Epatha Merkerson
      • Marcus Carl Franklin
      • Yasiin Bey
    • 40User reviews
    • 6Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 2 Primetime Emmys
      • 30 wins & 41 nominations total

    Photos51

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    Top cast65

    Edit
    S. Epatha Merkerson
    S. Epatha Merkerson
    • Rachel "Nanny" Crosby
    Marcus Carl Franklin
    Marcus Carl Franklin
    • Ruben Santiago Jr.
    • (as Marcus Franklin)
    Yasiin Bey
    Yasiin Bey
    • The Bandleader
    • (as Mos Def)
    Carmen Ejogo
    Carmen Ejogo
    • Alean
    Bill Simms Jr.
    • Self
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    Louis Gossett Jr.
    • Ol'lem Taylor
    Macy Gray
    Macy Gray
    • Pauline
    Terrence Howard
    Terrence Howard
    • Bill Crosby
    • (as Terrance Dashon Howard)
    Ernie Hudson
    Ernie Hudson
    • Dick Barrymore
    Delroy Lindo
    Delroy Lindo
    • Mr. Lucious
    Rosie Perez
    Rosie Perez
    • Bertha
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • Freddie Cobbs
    Liev Schreiber
    Liev Schreiber
    • Ulysses Ford
    Jimmy Smits
    Jimmy Smits
    • Ruben Santiago Sr.
    Patricia Wettig
    Patricia Wettig
    • Laura's Mother
    Charlayne Woodard
    Charlayne Woodard
    • Bill's Woman
    Jeffrey Wright
    Jeffrey Wright
    • Mr. Paul
    Omar Benjamin
    • Ruben, Jr. - toddler
    • Director
      • George C. Wolfe
    • Writer
      • Ruben Santiago-Hudson
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

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    Drumline
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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • 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.
    • Goofs
      When Rachel is getting $20 bills pinned on her, there are pinned bills on her right side including her arm, when they return to that scene, the bills are gone.
    • Quotes

      Rachel "Nanny" Crosby: [about Bill's chauvinistic remark] I see his lips movin' and I don't feel nuthin' but a breeze.

    • Connections
      Featured in Siskel & Ebert: Hide and Seek/Rory O'Shea Was Here/Lackawanna Blues/Bride and Prejudice/Aliens of the Deep (2005)
    • Soundtracks
      Caldonia
      Composed by Fleecie Moore

      Performed by Yasiin Bey

      Produced by Bruce Robb & Evyen Klean

      Recorded, Arranged, Engineered & Mixed by Bruce Robb at Cherokee Studios

    User reviews40

    Featured review
    9/10

    What I loved about Lackawanna Blues

    I watch Lackawanna Blues every time it comes on. It brings back happy times for me. I grow up in a big city in the mid-west. It reminds me of when I was a child although my situation was a little different it feels the same. It makes me wonder if all we will ever know about families are lost. The big mama's of day are under the age of 55. Will they see know what it takes to be a inspiration to other. I hope that I was not the only one who loved this movie enough to relate it to their past. The music was great in this movie. I truly felt like this should have gone to the theaters I would have paid to see it. As I viewed the movie for the second time I figured out who life this movie was about. He did an superb job in writing and producing this film. I guess who better to produce a film based on your life other than you. As soon as I can I will be obtaining a copy for my home use. I alway enjoy black producer or directors they make such film feel like you were actually living in the time right than. Thanks for such a great movie.
    • vwilbur
    • May 26, 2005
    • Permalink

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 12, 2005 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • HBO (United States)
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Giai điệu Lackawanna buồn
    • Filming locations
      • Los Angeles, California, USA
    • Production companies
      • HBO Films
      • Good Shepherd Entertainment
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • $12,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.78 : 1

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