Hoodlum (1997)

45% of critics liked it
(20 reviews)
61% of users liked it
(9,504 ratings)

The white-run Mafia and the black-run numbers game meet head on with explosive impact in this period crime thriller. Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) is an African-American ex-con who, after a stay in prison, returns to Harlem at the height of its renaissance before World War II.… More The white-run Mafia and the black-run numbers game meet head on with explosive impact in this period crime thriller. Ellsworth "Bumpy" Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) is an African-American ex-con who, after a stay in prison, returns to Harlem at the height of its renaissance before World War II. Looking for work, Bumpy becomes a lieutenant for Stephanie St. Clair (Cicely Tyson), the queen of Harlem's numbers racket. Bumpy's old friend Illinois Gordon (Chi McBride) gently expresses his concern about Bumpy's life of crime, and social worker Francine Hughes (Vanessa L. Williams), who is attracted to Bumpy (and vice versa), suggests he should be doing something more positive with his life. But Bumpy contends that the numbers game is the only business in the community that blacks are able to control themselves. The numbers game is very profitable -- enough so that mob boss "Lucky" Luciano (Andy Garcia) wants in on the action. He assigns one of his key men, "Dutch" Schultz (Tim Roth), to try to strike a deal with Stephanie, but negotiation isn't Dutch's strong suit -- he finds that murder is a far more effective tactic in taking control of a business, and Dutch is not the sort of person who's bothered by violence. Hoodlum was director Bill Duke's second film set in the milieu of the Gangster days of the 1920s and 1930s, after his breakthrough picture A Rage in Harlem. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 2 hr. 10 min.
Directed By: Bill Duke
Written By: Chris Brancato
Genres: Drama, Action & Adventure, Mystery & Suspense

In Theaters: Aug 27, 1997 Wide
On DVD: May 15, 2001
Studio: 905 Corporation

Critic Reviews

, USA Today
The Sting-like ending with its crosses and double-crosses could have been better handled, but there are plenty of other payoffs.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
This slow-going, talky film is in a constant struggle to hold the audience's interest.
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
It contains nothing of any lingering interest. On the other hand, Laurence Fishburne may be the only man on the planet who makes that mustache look good.

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Anthony L

Not bad, a great cast but Roth steals the show with some great lines. He's like Elmer Fudd turned bad!
Jason S

A really good gangster flick with a top notch cast. Each and every one of them pulled it off. The flick came off a little predictable but entertaining none the less. I really enjoyed Tim Roth in this flick. Every time he plays the villain he manages to put forth that right amount… More
A really good gangster flick with a top notch cast. Each and every one of them pulled it off. The flick came off a little predictable but entertaining none the less. I really enjoyed Tim Roth in this flick. Every time he plays the villain he manages to put forth that right amount of ooze that makes you hate him but makes you love to watch him work as well. Fishburne comes off cool and collected though all the movie even when pushed to the edge. The twist plan at the end wasn't much of a plan but it got the job done. I would have liked to see Fishburne take the matter into his own hands but this will do just fine. Recommended for any gangster flick fans.
Lady D

A slightly drawn out story, with a great cast, Tim Roth was particularly good and managed to really get in to the role of his character. The storyline is based on the times around Lucky Luciano, without too much envolvement of Lucky Luciano (Garcia). This could have been as good… More
A slightly drawn out story, with a great cast, Tim Roth was particularly good and managed to really get in to the role of his character. The storyline is based on the times around Lucky Luciano, without too much envolvement of Lucky Luciano (Garcia). This could have been as good as Miller's Crossing, but sadly it lacked something.
Deb S

In Hoodlum, "Bumpy" Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) plays a man recently released from prison who leads an African-American attempt to wrest control of organized crime in the Black neighborhoods of New York from the established Italian-descended criminals and goes up against… More
In Hoodlum, "Bumpy" Johnson (Laurence Fishburne) plays a man recently released from prison who leads an African-American attempt to wrest control of organized crime in the Black neighborhoods of New York from the established Italian-descended criminals and goes up against the calm and cool Lucky Luciano (Andy Garcia) and insanely ruthless Dutch Schultz (Tim Roth). There is lots to grab your attention with in this movie with its colorful characters that includes Clarence Williams III, Vanessa Williams, Cicely Tyson, Loretta Devine, and Queen Latifah, and an array of good performances, especially Fishburne who's rugged and streetsmart as Bumpy Johnson, Roth who's totally over-the-top as the trigger happy Dutch Schultz and the fearsome Lucky Luciano topped with enough shoot 'em up action and violence to spare.
Remi L

Every racist comment out of Tim Roth's character's mouth was like a stab to the chest. It made this movie hard to enjoy, which is a shame because I like 20s gangster movies.