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Hoodlum

Hoodlum

Crime · Drama · 1997

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.

Movie details

Hoodlum

“Power is measured in enemies.”

1997 Crime · Drama 2h 10m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

6.5 / 10

Community rating

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.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over Hoodlum?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Bill Duke

Written by

Chris Brancato

Laurence Fishburne

Laurence Fishburne

Bumpy Johnson

Tim Roth

Tim Roth

Dutch Schultz

Vanessa Williams

Vanessa Williams

Francine Hughes

Andy Garcia

Andy Garcia

Lucky Luciano

Cicely Tyson

Cicely Tyson

Stephanie St. Clair

Chi McBride

Chi McBride

Illinois Gordon

Clarence Williams III

Clarence Williams III

Bub Hewlett

Court is in session

Put Hoodlum on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Auteur Devotee

“Form is the argument.”

Every composed frame and deliberate cut is evidence that control can be thrilling in its own right.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Technique in search of a pulse.”

Immaculate construction is still construction. The film may be too busy proving its craft to feel alive.