Lackawanna Blues DVD (2005)

Lackawanna Blues

2005

Overall rating: 3 out of 5

from 550 members

Drama based on the acclaimed autobiographical one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. The movie looks at the ties that bind an African-American community in the period just before desegregation. The drama takes place primarily as a flashback to Freddie Cobbs' (Santiago-Hudson) childhood, starting with his birth in the upstate NY town of Lackawanna during a raucous Friday-night fish fry hosted by Rachel 'Nanny' Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson). As a boy in the 1950s and 60s, with his parents unable to take care of him, Ruben Jr. is essentially adopted by Nanny, proprietor of a rooming house and mentor to countless down-on-their luck blacks who moved there from Nanny's hometown in Virginia. Nanny's place is not just walls and a roof, but a home where misfits and drifters can escape their personal hells to find a fresh start and a family. Against this background, Jr. receives an education in life from a diverse and colorful group of boarders. However, his biggest bond will always be with Nanny, in a relationship that nobody, not even a pair of zealous social workers, can tear asunder.

Lackawanna Blues details

Format:	12 DVD
Starring:	Liev Schreiber, Mos Def, Ernie Hudson, Marcus Franklin, Carmen E, Charlayne Woodard, Delroy Lindo, Josie Perez, Jimmy Smits, S. Epatha Merkerson
Director:	George C. Wolfe
Genre:	Drama - General
Studio:	WARNER HOME VIDEO

DVD 1 disc

Name	Discs
Lackawanna Blues	12 Feature

DVD Information

Run time:	1 hour 35 minutes
Rental release:	03 Apr 2006
Main languages:	English

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Most helpful review Lackawanna Blues

S. Epatha Merkerson Shines

By Douglas Bennett George from Headley Down, England , 25 Apr 2006

[Highly rated reviewer]

This is the simple story of a boy and his Nanna set in 60s blues-laden Lackawanna New York. All performances are excellent and the story is touching but, at times, too sentimental (but, hey, I like that...). Worth the price of rental to see S. Epatha Merkerson break out of her 'Law and Order' restraints and prove that she is a versatile actor.
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Beautifully Written

By Ronalee (3 reviews) from Birmingham , 26 Nov 2011

What a beautifully written story. Some very good acting from an all star cast. This is one for my DVD collection.
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Lackawanna

By rockysgirl (15 reviews) from Redditch , 19 Oct 2009

Lovely movie, heart warming. Nothing over exciting, just a nice story.
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Lackawanna Blues

By a customer from London , 24 Sep 2009

Surprisingly good, well acted. Great film, it took me back to a time that's now lost forever.
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A slow movie

By a customer from London , 28 Mar 2009

Good actors, but a slow movie and boring storyline. I lost interest after 30 minutes...
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excellent

By nigerguy (98 reviews) from Woodford Green , 30 Aug 2008

full of drama, thrill, and suspense and a very happy ending for a woman so devoted to doing good things & helpful to others in need.
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