Lackawanna Blues

Adapted by scriptwriter Ruben Santiago-Hudson from his own autobiographical play, Lackawanna Blues reflects director George C. Wolfe's background in the theater (he wrote and/or directed The Colored Museum, Jelly's Last Jam, and Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk) in that it's more of a fluid reminiscence than a story delivered in standard narrative form. It's told from the point-of-view of the young Ruben (an affecting performance by Marcus Carl Franklin), who's raised by the indefatigable Rachel "Nanny" Crosby (S. Epatha Merkerson, known to many from her role as Lt. Van Buren in TV's Law & Order) in upstate Lackawanna, New York. Nanny's rooming house is home to all manner of drunks, hustlers, ex-cons, and others from the seedy side of the street (played by the likes of Macy Gray, Jeffrey Wright, Delroy Lindo, Rosie Perez, and others, with Jimmy Smits and Carmen Ejogo as Ruben's ne'er-do-well parents). Not the ideal environment for childrearing, but while the stark realities of life for African Americans in the early ‘60s are not avoided, there's also a certain patina of sentiment here that tends to soften the rougher edges. No matter: Lackawanna Blues has such a nice period atmosphere that minor quibbles are beside the point, and let's not forget the music, which includes both wonderful oldies (such as Joe Turner's “Boogie Woogie Country Girl”) and new recordings by Gray and Mos Def. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include audio commentary by director Wolfe and playwright Santiago-Hudson, a deleted scene, and a behind-the-scenes featurette. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine HBO original.] (S. Graham)