The whole idea of taking such film noirs as "Double Indemnity" and "The Postman Always Rings Twice" and giving them a modern urban twist sounds quite intriguing. Unfortunately, in the case of "Caught Up," the execution is poor. First issue: the casting of Bokeem Woodbine as the lead. Woodbine has been in other urban films like "Menace 2 Society" and "Jason's Lyric," and he wasn't bad in some of those supporting roles. He just isn't cut out for being a leading man. I can tell he wasn't perfectly comfortable with carrying the film on his own two shoulders. The problem with his flat performance is that his face rarely changes expression and he delivers every line like he's constipated. His emotions don't come naturally to him, and as a result his performance is totally strained. The rest of the cast is pretty good. Cynda Williams is beautiful to look at. Jeffrey Combs has an amusing cameo. The script is ludicrous, as it's full of way-too-odd coincidences and implausible plot twists. I can tell that the director Darin Scott was very passionate about this project and very much inspired by those great noirs of the past, but his direction is over-the-top. He explains, in his DVD commentary, that he used a hyper-realistic approach since it's narrated by the main character and people tend to embellish details when telling stories - especially ones as spectacular as this one. His reasons are understandable, but the film still didn't work for me. If there's anything good I have to say, "Caught Up" is worth some good laughs - mind you, you'll be laughing at it, rather than with it.
21 Reviews
Seen it all before.
Gassit19 April 1999
This was pretty nice, though absolutely everything is seen before. The plot thins out towards the end, after a bland start. Of the characters I'd like to pull out "Vanessa" for her good looks, and "Billy" for a good performance. The rastas are, on the other hand, just plain silly. Watch this movie if you have nothing better to do. 6/10
Review is right on
ericlee_va30 November 2005
For once, I agree 100% with the review of this movie. It is dead on. It was very poorly written although I was a bit intrigued by the twists and turns. The plot was a deja vu, very similar to some of the old school blaxploitation movies, updated with a modern look, and language. I did expect the soundtrack, which I didn't care for anyway in the extras on the DVD, to play more of a role, but I can't recall even hearing any music in the entire movie. Maybe because the plot was so weak I didn't notice the music.
I purchased the DVD for like $4. It was in a bin with thousands of other DVDs collecting dust. Seeing the beautiful Cynda Williams is worth the $4. Just put the movie on mute and you're good to go!
I purchased the DVD for like $4. It was in a bin with thousands of other DVDs collecting dust. Seeing the beautiful Cynda Williams is worth the $4. Just put the movie on mute and you're good to go!
Bad luck and poor choices
IrockGswift19 March 2003
This is got to be one of the most confusing urban thrillers I have ever seen. A young man did a five year bid after being involved in a bank robbery thanks to his coke-head buddy. Daryl plans were to open a nightclub and had a major set back that sent him to prison because of the bank robbery. But when he got out he hooks up with a fortune teller that maybe change his life around. Though whenever they were together someone was out to kill him. Daryl played by Bokeem Woodbine had only wanted to get his life together so he can get back into his son's life and presume to open a nightclub. Through all the mayhem in the movie he still achieve his goal. Not a bad ending for a hood movie without the star dying.
Screwed Up
Newsense9 December 2008
Warning: Spoilers
Caught Up is bad..really, really bad. It looks like it was done by amateur and with the exception of competent cinematography everything else about it blows.
The story: Darryl Allen(Bokeem Woodbine) is having the worst luck ever. He loses his moronic friend to a high speed chase accident. He meets a mysterious woman named Vanessa Dietrich(Cynda Williams) who gets him in the middle of a scandal involving pilfered diamonds from a Jamaican mobster. He is forced to work for a fruity and shady limousine owner named Wild Bill. He befriends one of the guys at this job who ends up being an undercover cop named Frank Lewdon(Clifton Powell)posing as some unfortunate bum named Herbert. On top of all that he keeps getting shot at by somebody(who I will reveal later in this review).
You know a movie is in trouble when the cameo appearances by Snoop Dogg and LL Cool J are the best thing about it. You know a movie is in trouble when a sex scene involving Cynda and Bokeem is better than the rest of the movie. The acting is awful. Bokeem Woodbine was great in Jason's Lyric, Panther, Strapped, Gridlock'd etc but he stinks here. Its not his fault. The script is a terrible one that causes for him to profusely overact at every scene. The only scene he fared well in was the scene where he talks to his son over the phone. Bokeem's performance elsewhere in this movie was hammy. Now, I love Clifton Powell but he gives the worst performance of his acting career as the unscrupulous undercover Frank Lewdon. The interrogation scene where he spits back in Daryl Allen's face and slaps him around is laughable to a fault. Having Cynda Williams play both Trish and Vanessa made the movie all the more confusing. As a matter of fact that is the biggest flaw of Caught Up: its confusing as hell from start to finish. The film gets hysterically bad and worse as it progresses. It has plot holes big enough to fit the state of Texas in. Let me give you two examples of the huge holes in this story: Vanessa murders Trish and puts her dead body next to Darryl in a motel. Question: How does she know where Trish stays? Plot hole #2: Darryl is constantly getting shot at and in the end it turns out to be the same cop his friend shot in the groin earlier in the movie. Question: how does this wacky cop know where to find Darryl at? These are the few examples of the many plot holes in Caught Up. A movie so bizarre that it makes you wonder if the director and writer was sloshed while he wrote this tripe. There is a reason why Darin Scott fell off the map after this movie. Caught Up is confusing, jumble mess of a movie that adds to the negative stigma attached to low budget movies. Some low budget movies can be good but this movie is not one of the exceptions. Stick with the soundtrack. Its more satisfying than this stinker.
The story: Darryl Allen(Bokeem Woodbine) is having the worst luck ever. He loses his moronic friend to a high speed chase accident. He meets a mysterious woman named Vanessa Dietrich(Cynda Williams) who gets him in the middle of a scandal involving pilfered diamonds from a Jamaican mobster. He is forced to work for a fruity and shady limousine owner named Wild Bill. He befriends one of the guys at this job who ends up being an undercover cop named Frank Lewdon(Clifton Powell)posing as some unfortunate bum named Herbert. On top of all that he keeps getting shot at by somebody(who I will reveal later in this review).
You know a movie is in trouble when the cameo appearances by Snoop Dogg and LL Cool J are the best thing about it. You know a movie is in trouble when a sex scene involving Cynda and Bokeem is better than the rest of the movie. The acting is awful. Bokeem Woodbine was great in Jason's Lyric, Panther, Strapped, Gridlock'd etc but he stinks here. Its not his fault. The script is a terrible one that causes for him to profusely overact at every scene. The only scene he fared well in was the scene where he talks to his son over the phone. Bokeem's performance elsewhere in this movie was hammy. Now, I love Clifton Powell but he gives the worst performance of his acting career as the unscrupulous undercover Frank Lewdon. The interrogation scene where he spits back in Daryl Allen's face and slaps him around is laughable to a fault. Having Cynda Williams play both Trish and Vanessa made the movie all the more confusing. As a matter of fact that is the biggest flaw of Caught Up: its confusing as hell from start to finish. The film gets hysterically bad and worse as it progresses. It has plot holes big enough to fit the state of Texas in. Let me give you two examples of the huge holes in this story: Vanessa murders Trish and puts her dead body next to Darryl in a motel. Question: How does she know where Trish stays? Plot hole #2: Darryl is constantly getting shot at and in the end it turns out to be the same cop his friend shot in the groin earlier in the movie. Question: how does this wacky cop know where to find Darryl at? These are the few examples of the many plot holes in Caught Up. A movie so bizarre that it makes you wonder if the director and writer was sloshed while he wrote this tripe. There is a reason why Darin Scott fell off the map after this movie. Caught Up is confusing, jumble mess of a movie that adds to the negative stigma attached to low budget movies. Some low budget movies can be good but this movie is not one of the exceptions. Stick with the soundtrack. Its more satisfying than this stinker.
Good
teddym23 June 2003
It was basically a decent movie. The plots keep flipping on you. The first part is silly, but what can you say about the 'hood'? That acid on the head was a bit much though. And they never let us know how the fortune teller finds him. She had to know about him. Glad to see that he was able to finally open his club and get his son.
Best One-Liner Ever
hchiu25 November 2000
"Caught Up" had that low budget feel but the low key and well paced mystery kept my attention. Bookem Woodbine (Daryl) was refreshing as a ex-convict trying to go straight but every turn in the road ahead seems to lead him closer back to jail. Bookem Woodbine has a very deep baritone voice like Earl Jones, and his delivery is rough at times but he was genuine. I thought this movie was going to be a yawner early on until the part where Daryl barks "I ain't going down like no punk!" That was a delivery of a one-liner comparable to "I'll be back" by Arnold. Cyndia Willams (Vanessa) was very pleasing to the eye as the mysterious, seductive woman that plays Daryl as the fool. She is the other reason to watch this movie. Also, some other notable guest cameo is made the Candy Man, Snoop Doggy Dog, and Ll Cool J of "Deep Blue Sea" (who didn't go down like a punk).
Reformed Crock
Bluesradio629 April 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Another story of a reformed crook, and yes there is a nice twist at the end when we found out who the mystery shooter is...Overall, not a bad film with the lead actress playing two roles and actually pulling it off, even to the point that a tell tale tattoo is what gives away the Switch essential to the storyline.....The Jamaican bad guys and the Limo driving bad guy are both very campy, but it's that type of movie so doesn't spoil the movie in my opinion.....Definitely a decent storyline and if you are sitting at home bored why not watch this one.....
Painful
asherh17 January 2003
I went to this movie because i have been a long time fan of Tony Todd and Jeffrey Combs. They had two of the smallest roles in the film. The film was poorly written and poorly directed. I can sit back and watch a stupid movie if it is entertaining, but this one wasn't. I had to fight sleep in the theater. I didn't expect much from Bokeem Woodbine so i was not disappointed with him. Cynda Williams was dreadful. I would have to say that she delivers one of the worst performances I have ever seen. Joseph Lindsey was the only enjoyable part. His performance was hilarious, and yet he has gone on to do nothing else. So in short if you are thinking of seeing this movie, it would be less painful to castrate yourself.
Did not care for the negative direction that it was geared toward
jordondave-2808512 May 2023
(1998) Caught Up DRAMA
THRILLER
African American Daryl (Bokeem Woodbine) has dreams about being successful, and owning his own night club, except that he needs a few extra thousands to do it. So his crack headed friend offers to be a partner with him providing if he could succeed into submitting him the money that he needs. So while Daryl is waiting for him sitting in his car, he then sees his crack head friend running away and robbing the bank of the money that he needs to open this so-called night club, completely caught Daryl off guard. So instead of surrendering like what any normal person would've done, he decides to drive away even though they're cop cars coming from all directions. The crack head dies as a result of Daryl crashing his car while evading police. And Daryl ends up in jail. He comes out for parole, and gets himself mixed up with a woman (Cynda Williams,) who looks identical to his ex, but still carries the torch for and she hooks him up with a job, leading to some preposterous situations. And by the time the movie is done still doesn't explain everything that has happened. The movie starts out believably well, but goes into the most unlikely scenario on the second half similar to a "Pulp Fiction" movie. I was hoping it was movie about an African American who was trying to succeed in his dreadful life, but as it turns out it becomes much more complicated than that.
African American Daryl (Bokeem Woodbine) has dreams about being successful, and owning his own night club, except that he needs a few extra thousands to do it. So his crack headed friend offers to be a partner with him providing if he could succeed into submitting him the money that he needs. So while Daryl is waiting for him sitting in his car, he then sees his crack head friend running away and robbing the bank of the money that he needs to open this so-called night club, completely caught Daryl off guard. So instead of surrendering like what any normal person would've done, he decides to drive away even though they're cop cars coming from all directions. The crack head dies as a result of Daryl crashing his car while evading police. And Daryl ends up in jail. He comes out for parole, and gets himself mixed up with a woman (Cynda Williams,) who looks identical to his ex, but still carries the torch for and she hooks him up with a job, leading to some preposterous situations. And by the time the movie is done still doesn't explain everything that has happened. The movie starts out believably well, but goes into the most unlikely scenario on the second half similar to a "Pulp Fiction" movie. I was hoping it was movie about an African American who was trying to succeed in his dreadful life, but as it turns out it becomes much more complicated than that.
Bokeem Woodbine's Lone Effort
odulumni993 April 2002
I liked the movie, despite the critic's abhorrence toward the movie. I can see Bokeem Woodbine's acting potential stretched even further. Yet, Cynda Williams role in the movie may be the culprit for the critic's actions. I didn't like her all that much, and her acting was a bit off. Though, I believe that her purpose in the movie was to fulfill its "Sex-sells" promise. But, basically all she is was just a pretty face. This movie was pretty much all Bokeem Woodbine, as Daryl Allen's journey towards getting his life back together, without getting "Caught Up" of course.
This is absolutely awful and will be one of the worst movies you will ever see
kevin_robbins26 July 2021
Caught Up (1998) is a movie I recently watched for the first time in a long time on Amazon Prime. The storyline follows a young man from the hood who is trying to go straight after a few bad decisions and acquaintances got him locked up historically. Unfortunately every place he turns whether it's getting a job, girlfriend or new friends seems to lead him down a path of landing right back in jail. This movie is directed by Darin Scott (Deep Blue Sea 2) in his directorial debut and stars Bokeem Woodbine (Queen & Slim), Cynda Williams (Mo Better Blues), Tony Todd (Candyman), Snoop Dogg (Baby Boy), Michael Clarke Duncan (Green Mile) and LL Cool J (Deep Blue Sea). The writing for this is absolutely awful - literally the narration was better than the storyline. The situations are crazy bad and poorly executed. The acting is painful in almost every scene. The gypsy aspects of this movie was ridiculous. It was kind of cool to see Snoop and LL in this, but their acting was hilarious and seemed forced. Even the sex scenes are bad. The only part of this movie I liked was the Jamaican. This is absolutely awful and will be one of the worst movies you ever see. I'd score this a 1/10.
Clunky, but it has its moments.
sable sky30 November 2001
A very typical set up - ex-con with a kid, wants to make a new start. The main character's complete lack of bravado makes him an amiable enough lead, but it's not enough to save the film from clunky dialogue, and some clunkier acting. However, there are some cinematically nice moments, and it's worth the rental price just to see Jeffrey Combs' hysterical, and very... memorable... cameo.
Not a good movie and it was very confusing, too.
Evolution-X18 April 2013
I watched this movie because it was included in a four pack that I bought at Walmart for five dollars. I had been curious about this movie for quite some time and I remember seeing TV spots for it back in early 1998 and wondered what the movie was all about.
I get the premise of a guy getting out of jail and wanting to go straight but couldn't because some things wouldn't let him. However, there were so many twists and turns that I was not sure who really was the main antagonist and when you do, it turns out to be a really minor character and while I get the motive and reasons (Sort of) about the true villain, it just doesn't relate to the main plot.
The only thing that saved this movie was seeing Cynda Williams naked and the soundtrack was also better than the film. This movie sucked and I really wonder how this made it to theaters. As much as I respect Bokeem Woodbine as an actor, I don't really think he is cut out for lead roles and this movie shows.
I get the premise of a guy getting out of jail and wanting to go straight but couldn't because some things wouldn't let him. However, there were so many twists and turns that I was not sure who really was the main antagonist and when you do, it turns out to be a really minor character and while I get the motive and reasons (Sort of) about the true villain, it just doesn't relate to the main plot.
The only thing that saved this movie was seeing Cynda Williams naked and the soundtrack was also better than the film. This movie sucked and I really wonder how this made it to theaters. As much as I respect Bokeem Woodbine as an actor, I don't really think he is cut out for lead roles and this movie shows.
Poor plot line; weak acting.
espile17 December 1999
The general look of the film, set design, locale appear as cheap. That coupled with a poor plot line and weak acting made this somewhat uninteresting, with the exception of the acting of Cynda Williams. The obligatory sex-scene was not necessary. Her acting style was smooth and confident. All of the actors could have done better with a better script. Sorry.
Surprisingly well-structured plot; sharp writing overall
walt-411 June 1999
Gems sometimes crop up in the most surprising places. "Caught Up" provides the pleasures of a well-structured plot, especially the payoff one gets when something brought up earlier means something important (even clever) later, e.g. the identity of the hitman. Combine these tasty plot twists with good acting and good dialogue, and you've got a movie worth staying up to watch on cable
A fresh take on the traditional "wrong man" theme
will-10527 September 1999
Director Scott's debut leads us through a well paced maze of mystery. He keeps our interest by injecting unpredictable twists and turns throughout. A brave effort that goes against the formulaic grain of the majority of Hollywood releases.
A spiritual message within a hood movie
Shaunmatthewc11 August 2022
I can't believe I've never seen this before. Bokeem Woodbine is great in everything he's in and plays Daryl the main character who can't seem to catch a break. The moral of the story is if you get bad vibes and something is telling you to stay away from certain people you generally should.
It's a fun, eventful watch
alclarke-020689 November 2022
I didn't know what to expect with this film and thought it might be a depressing hood movie. It was a good adventure, some parts don't make sense at first but it's still interesting to see how unlucky the main character is.
The whole doppelgänger thing I could've done without but it was necessary for the plot line.
I don't think I've ever seen Bokeem Woodbine as the leading man but he really held it down in this movie and was also naturally funny.
I'd recommend watching if you like obscure movies with actors you've seen or actually heard of. Tony Todd and Clifton Powell were great additions to the film. Watch it!
The whole doppelgänger thing I could've done without but it was necessary for the plot line.
I don't think I've ever seen Bokeem Woodbine as the leading man but he really held it down in this movie and was also naturally funny.
I'd recommend watching if you like obscure movies with actors you've seen or actually heard of. Tony Todd and Clifton Powell were great additions to the film. Watch it!
Another dust-collector on videostore shelves.
FeverDog12 November 2002
A poorly written urban crime drama that would have worked better as a sketch in HOLLYWOOD SHUFFLE, CAUGHT UP stars Bokeem Woodbine as an ex-con trying to go straight. Shortly after his release from prison, he meets Trish (Cynda Williams, whose mediocre performance is in sharp contrast to her impressive work in ONE FALSE MOVE), who's, of all things, a psychic being pursued by an evil Rastafarian from whom she stole a huge diamond. Instead of staying the hell away from this apparently high-maintenance love interest (she's beautiful, you see) and trying to reconnect with his former squeeze, he agrees to help her. Every stereotype and cliché is used, as well as howlingly bad dialogue ("Nobody was waiting for me but a dude named destiny") and the perfunctory hip-hop cameos. This film seems to have been made solely to promote its accompanying soundtrack, but with hardly any rap music included in the movie, what exactly was the point of all this?
This movie has two rules- eject or dub over.
Anne D.16 October 1999
This is a silly movie that involves a man who has recently been let out of prison. He meets a girl and gets mixed up in this silly underworld scenario, complete with renegade rastafarians and peel away facial disguises. But its not as good as it sounds... you have to put up with a lot of mediocre writing and overacting in order to get to any of the above-mentioned treats. The story has all of these tricky twists that aim to add depth but really only complicate the already-ailing story. To tell you the truth, the only reason I watched it was so that I could see the extremely short cameo by rapper Snoop Doggy Dogg, playing the character "Kool Kitty Kat".
One funny thing- you should watch for all of the funny faces that the actors make throughout the movie. Its really strange how often it happens, and I don't know if it is a biproduct of the overacting or an inside joke or what. In any case, if you for some reason DO decide to watch this movie, its something to do.
One funny thing- you should watch for all of the funny faces that the actors make throughout the movie. Its really strange how often it happens, and I don't know if it is a biproduct of the overacting or an inside joke or what. In any case, if you for some reason DO decide to watch this movie, its something to do.
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