Caught Up (1998)

It's no wonder Caught Up only garnered haphazard theatrical release in 1998. Director Darin Scott, who is credited with screenplay nods for Tales from the Hood and Sprung, tosses everything--including the kitchen sink--into this noir rip-off that borrows liberally from Chinatown and Bound but lacks the intelligent gravity and grace of the former and the stylish, tongue-in-cheek fun of the latter. Starring Bokeem Woodbine as Darryl, an ex-con who wants to go straight but who keeps finding himself in unlucky circumstances, Caught Up has laughable dialogue and terrible bug-eyed over-emoting that tries to pass for acting and wastes the laconic beauty of One False Move costar Cynda Williams, who plays a femme fatale named Vanessa Dietrich (honest!). Vanessa wraps Darryl around her little finger and embroils him in a voodoo-esque drug plot that will have the viewer rolling on the floor in disbelief. Had Caught Up played its convoluted plot for laughs, it may have at least been a camp parody on the genre, but as it is, it doesn't avoid a single cinematic cliché. The DVD comes with a slew of music videos, the radio and TV spot, as well as a director's commentary track. But don't be fooled by all the goodies--they're simply a smokescreen to nudge the audience into thinking the film is important and worthy. Caught Up is a goofy mess of contradictions and implausibility. --Paula Nechak Amazon.com

It has cought up with my interest

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. September 7, 2005

ISSUES

IT WAS A GOOD STORY LINE AND IT REALLY SHOWED THE COMPANY YOU KEEP CAN GET YOU IN ALOT OF TROUBLE SEE IT YOU'LL LIKE IT September 5, 2005

Must By As Cynda Williams is from my Hometown

I thought it was a very very good suspenseful movie that was a bit biazarre at times but still a good watch. I am very proud of Cynda's performance and, I am amazed at her rapid growth as an actress. Good Flick........... July 12, 2002

A REALLY HORRIBLE MOVIE

This might be the most terrible movie ever made. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. February 21, 2002

EXTRAORDINARY SUSPENSE AND THRILLS!!!

It is truly amazing how someone can be 'Caught Up' in someone else's stupidity and Woodine should have realized that after getting out of prison. But instead, he continues to be caught up in lust, love and money. This was a GREAT movie all the way through. Rent it, buy it, just see it!!!! August 11, 2000

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