Hoodlum
Seen it?1997 | 130 min | Crime, Drama
Weeknight WatchWhy it’s a Weeknight Watch
It's still drawing plenty of interest, but middling reviews (43% on Rotten Tomatoes) and a box office loss held it back. Fine if it's on; don't plan your night around it.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for crime-drama fans. If you loved The Cotton Club or Public Enemies, start here.
- The mood
- Dark and gritty.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 2 hr 10 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated R: meant for adults.
In 1934, the second most lucrative business in New York City was running 'the numbers'. When Madam Queen—the powerful woman who runs the scam in Harlem—is arrested, Ellsworth 'Bumpy' Johnson takes over the business and must resist an invasion from a merciless mobster.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsBelow par
43% on Rotten Tomatoes, 50 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
6.5 out of 10
- AwardsNot counted
No major awards or nominations
- Box office & staying powerBelow par
$23 million worldwide on a $30 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 213K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
More like this
The Cotton Club
Saturday SpecialAnother mob crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
Public Enemies Saturday SpecialAnother mob crime drama, and a Saturday Special.
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Sunday Safe BetAnother mob crime drama, and a safe bet for a quiet night.
Mobsters Weeknight WatchAnother mob crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
Live by Night Weeknight WatchAnother mob crime drama, though it's more of a weeknight watch.
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bill Duke
- Laurence FishburneBumpy Johnson
- Tim RothDutch Schultz
- Vanessa WilliamsFrancine Hughes
- Andy GarciaLucky Luciano
- Cicely TysonStephanie St. Clair
- Chi McBrideIllinois Gordon
- Clarence Williams IIIBub Hewlett
- Richard BradfordCaptain Foley
- William AthertonThomas E. Dewey
- Loretta DevinePigfoot Mary