Movie Description HOODLUM stars Laurence Fishburne in a powerful performance as Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson, the notorious Harlem gangster of the 1930s. Director Bill Duke mixes a sumptuous visual style with a message of black empowerment. Bumpy gets out of prison and goes to work for the Harlem numbers powerhouse known as Madam Queen (Cicely Tyson), bringing him into conflict with the psychopathic Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth), who is trying to take over the numbers racket in Harlem. As the blood flows through Harlem streets, those around Bumpy begin to question his methods-- and his morals.
| Credits | | Producer: | Bill Duke, Chris Brancato, Frank Mancuso Jr., Helen Sugland, Laurence Fishburne, Paul Eckstein | | Cast: | Beau Starr, Chi McBride, Ed O'Ross, Joe Guzaldo, Mike Starr, William Atherton |
| Details | | Sound: | Stereo Sound |
Notes Annotation by Josh Ralske., DVD Features: Region 1 Encoding; Trivia & Production Notes; Original Theatrical Trailer.
Editorial Reviews "...Mr. Fishburne is as coolly ruthless as Al Pacino's Michael Corleone in THE GODFATHER....Ms. Tyson is also memorable..." New York Times - Stephen Holden (08/27/1997)
"...This is Duke's most accomplished job of direction yet. He gets a juicy performance out of Tim Roth..." Entertainment Weekly - Owen Gleiberman (09/05/1997)
"...Duke has made a historical drama as much as a thriller..." Chicago Sun-Times - Roger Ebert (08/27/1997)
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