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Lenny Cooke

Play trailer Poster for Lenny Cooke 2013 1h 30m Documentary Biography Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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78% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 66% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Lenny Cooke, a once top-ranked high-school basketball player, learns a heartbreaking lesson in 2002 when he decides to skip college and place all his hopes on the NBA Draft.
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Lenny Cooke

Critics Reviews

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Frank Ombres Film Comment Magazine 12/30/2013
That the first half of the film is largely older footage (previously shot for an earlier project by Adam Shopkorn) endows it with wistfulness. No matter how merry the events, they're obviously distant fragments of a broken dream. Go to Full Review Leba Hertz San Francisco Chronicle 12/19/2013
3/4
Filmmakers Benny and Josh Safdie use real-time footage to follow this hopeful, affable young man as he becomes a bitter has-been over the course of a decade. Go to Full Review Sheri Linden Los Angeles Times 12/12/2013
A compellingly unconventional, elliptical sports documentary that explores the mysterious realm of might-have-been. Go to Full Review David Nusair Reel Film Reviews 06/27/2022
2/4
...suffers from an almost total lack of an entry point for viewers without any real interest in or enthusiasm for basketball... Go to Full Review Zach Hollwedel Under the Radar 06/10/2016
5.5/10
The film's informed voyeuristic style ... allows Cooke's actions to speak louder than any words the often soft spoken protagonist might have shed on his life. Go to Full Review Eli Landes FILMINK (Australia) 04/22/2016
The Safdies have done remarkably well in resurrecting an old project, which although lacking in production value, simply needed to be seen by the world. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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02/15/2016 A true and sad warning towards young kinds with big dreams and no life experience. See more harrison r @clinthoward 06/14/2014 I wish the whole movie were edited like the final scene, that was what I expected! This is an unusual documentary, maybe unique, but not that interesting See more 06/10/2014 An interesting story but suffers from Lenny not really being a likeable character. I had more empathy for both Hoop Dreams stars. See more 05/14/2014 Sad that he had all his eggs in one basket like that; but a great documentary nonetheless See more 05/07/2014 Great to see should be shown at all the high end basketball camps. See more 02/09/2014 Well done documentary about the decisions of a young man on whether to pursue an NBA career or an education. See more Read all reviews
Lenny Cooke

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Cast & Crew

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Benny Safdie

Director

Josh Safdie

Director

Lenny Cooke

Actor

Carmelo Anthony

Actor

Amar'e Stoudemire

Actor

Harvey Araton

Actor
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Lenny Cooke

Lenny Cooke (2013) Lenny Cooke (2013) View more photos

Movie Info

Synopsis Lenny Cooke, a once top-ranked high-school basketball player, learns a heartbreaking lesson in 2002 when he decides to skip college and place all his hopes on the NBA Draft.
Director
Benny Safdie, Josh Safdie
Producer
Adam Shopkorn
Production Co
Shop Korn Productions
Genre
Documentary, Biography, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Runtime
1h 30m
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