Lackawanna Blues
Play it. Sing it. Shout it. Feel it.
Based on the acclaimed autobiographical one-man show by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, this tuneful film is an aspiring coming-of-age drama that concerns a mother and son's love that transcends biological ties. It is the story of Rachel "Nanny" Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson), a woman who built a community and circumvented segregation in her own determined way. Like a good blues song, the film strikes notes that are painful but beautiful, ones that remain alive to both the heartbreaks and joys of life.
Member Reviews
A feel good movie - unohoo
An ensemble cast that is 98% black dealing with issues and the reality of being black in the 1940's, 50's and 60's US, but only as a backdrop.
It's mostly centers around the relationship of a young boy who is raised by a woman who becomes his surrogate mother.
In fact, this woman is also a den mother to those who pass through her boarding house.
These denizens comprise a rainbow hue of personality types; some scary, most harmless.Excellent ensemble cast - Cinnamint
Lackawanna Blues is a heartwarming film based on Ruben Santiago Jr.’s autobiographical play. The movie tells the story of a young boy (played by Marcus Carl Franklin) growing up in a rooming house run by Nanny Crosby (played by S. Epatha Merkerson). The acting in the film is wonderful! Marcus Carl Franklin does an excellent job of playing young Ruben Santiago Jr., and S. Epatha Merkerson truly embodies Nanny Crosby, the rooming house owner with a heart of gold, who takes in various people from the margins of society to live in her house, giving them a second chance at life and creating a community. I enjoyed seeing Thomas Jefferson Byrd (Clockers, Ray) and Michael K. Williams (Omar from The Wire) playing supporting roles.Very Sweet But Predictable - E
A very sweet story honouring the memory of a woman who willingly gave everything to others. It was a nice movie to watch, and I enjoyed seeing S. Epatha Merkerson from Law & Order fame in a different role.
Although I liked the variety of characters, it felt more like a stereotypical list of colourful characters being trotted out in succession rather than truly capturing both the dark and positive sides of growing up surrounded by such eccentric characters. Maybe this was meant to be lite and ideallic, but it comes across as a sanitized version of someone's bio.
Great blues music in the film, and the kid actor was too-cute-for-words. Enjoyable, but forgettable.
Member Reviews
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A feel good movie - unohoo
An ensemble cast that is 98% black dealing with issues and the reality of being black in the 1940's, 50's and 60's US, but only as a backdrop.
It's mostly centers around the relationship of a young boy who is raised by a woman who becomes his surrogate ...Excellent ensemble cast - Cinnamint
Lackawanna Blues is a heartwarming film based on Ruben Santiago Jr.’s autobiographical play. The movie tells the story of a young boy (played by Marcus Carl Franklin) growing up in a rooming house run by Nanny Crosby (played by S. Epatha Merkerson). The acting ...Very Sweet But Predictable - E
A very sweet story honouring the memory of a woman who willingly gave everything to others. It was a nice movie to watch, and I enjoyed seeing S. Epatha Merkerson from Law & Order fame in a different role.
Although I liked the variety of characters, ...