High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell

Last updated
High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell
Directed by Jon Alpert
MaryAnn DeLeo
Richard Farrell
Written byJon Alpert
MaryAnn DeLeo
Richard Farrell
Produced by HBO, DCTV
Starring Dicky Eklund
Gary (Boo-Boo) Giuffrida
Brenda
Edited byJon Alpert
MaryAnn DeLeo
John Custodio
Release date
  • 8 August 1995 (1995-08-08)
Running time
60 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell is a 1995 American documentary film directed by Richard Farrell, Maryann DeLeo and Jon Alpert. It was a co-production of HBO and DCTV, produced by Farrell, DeLeo, and Alpert. It aired on HBO as part of its series America Undercover . The documentary takes place about 20 miles northwest of Boston in the economically depressed former mill city of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Contents

Deb Becker of WBUR-FM, Richard Farrell and MaryAnn DeLeo at IFFBoston 2016 High on Crack Street - Lost Lives in Lowell, Panel discussion, IFF Boston 2016.jpg
Deb Becker of WBUR-FM, Richard Farrell and MaryAnn DeLeo at IFFBoston 2016

Synopsis

Over eighteen months, a documentary crew follows Lowell, Massachusetts natives Dicky Eklund, Gary "Boo-Boo" Giuffrida, and Brenda in their daily exploits to get high on crack cocaine.

Once the United States' first planned textile town, Lowell fell on hard times after the mills' relocation to the South. Local computer company Wang Laboratories brought some prosperity in the 1970s and 1980s, but its closure in the 1990s caused a significant reversal. As a result, most of the population was left unemployed or impoverished.

Brenda, a prostitute, contemplates abortion after learning she is pregnant, with the father implied to be either on-again-off-again boyfriend Mike, or Boo Boo, whom she says has been pimping her out. Whatever money she earns is spent on drugs, while a conversation with her parents leads to her abandoning an attempt at detox rehab for the baby. It is later revealed that Brenda's parents forced her to have an abortion at fifteen, leaving her feeling like she murdered the child.

While she eventually does go into detox, Brenda loses the will to complete the program and walks out, as she had six times before. She later goes missing, prompting a panicked Boo Boo to file a missing person's report. The police eventually locate her but do not tell Boo Boo her location per Brenda's wishes, only that "she's had the child and straightened her life out."

Dicky, a once-promising boxer most famous for going up against Sugar Ray Leonard in 1978, struggles to make a comeback. For the sake of his young son, he tries to prevent his habit and the crimes he commits to feed it from destroying his life. He ultimately ends up being arrested on felony charges. While awaiting trial, his mother sets out to raise $5,000 in bail money at a local VFW benefit. A fight breaks out between spectators during the event, and the bail is not raised.

Boo Boo starts shooting cocaine intravenously. After testing positive for HIV, he starts turning his life around by getting a job as a deliveryman for a donut shop and reconnecting with his family. His efforts are undone when a traffic violation leads to the revelation that he was driving with no license, which leads to him being unemployed. He meets with Dicky on his last day out before going to jail, the two of them getting high together. In a final interview, Boo Boo reflects on how he is the only one of the three left and hopes Brenda is doing well with her new life.

A textual epilogue reveals that Boo Boo still lives in Lowell with a crack habit that costs $200 per day, Dicky is eligible for parole in four years, and Brenda died from an overdose before the film's release.

Awards

Source [1]

A fictionalized version of the documentary is featured in the 2010 feature film The Fighter, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture. In the film, the documentary is titled Crack In America. Eklund, portrayed by Christian Bale, is shown smoking crack and being high throughout, telling his family that the HBO camera crew are filming him making a boxing comeback. Bale won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Eklund.

Post-filming

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carol Channing</span> American actress (1921–2019)

Carol Elaine Channing was an American actress, comedian, singer and dancer who starred in Broadway and film musicals. Her characters usually had a fervent expressiveness and an easily identifiable voice, whether singing or for comedic effect.

<i>Splash</i> (film) 1984 film by Ron Howard

Splash is a 1984 American romantic fantasy comedy film directed by Ron Howard, from a screenplay by Lowell Ganz, Babaloo Mandel, and Bruce Jay Friedman, and a story by Friedman and producer Brian Grazer. The film stars Tom Hanks, Daryl Hannah, John Candy, and Eugene Levy. Its plot involves a young man who falls in love with a mysterious woman who is secretly a mermaid. The film was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tatum O'Neal</span> American actress (born 1963)

Tatum Beatrice O'Neal is an American actress. At the age of 10, she became the youngest person ever to win a competitive Academy Award, for her performance as Addie Loggins in Paper Moon co-starring her father, Ryan O'Neal. She later starred in the films The Bad News Bears, Nickelodeon, and Little Darlings, and appeared in guest roles in the television series Sex and the City, 8 Simple Rules, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Channing Tatum</span> American actor (born 1980)

Channing Matthew Tatum is an American actor. Tatum made his film debut in the drama Coach Carter (2005), and had his breakthrough role in the 2006 dance film Step Up. He gained wider attention for his leading roles in the sports comedy She's the Man (2006), the comedy-drama Magic Mike (2012) and its sequels Magic Mike XXL (2015) and Magic Mike's Last Dance (2023), the latter two of which he also produced, and in the action-comedy 21 Jump Street (2012) and its sequel 22 Jump Street (2014).

<i>Shes the Man</i> 2006 romantic comedy sports film by Andy Fickman

She's the Man is a 2006 American romantic comedy teen sports film directed by Andy Fickman and starring Amanda Bynes, Channing Tatum, Laura Ramsey, Vinnie Jones, and David Cross. Inspired by William Shakespeare's play Twelfth Night, the film centers on teenager Viola Hastings, who enters her brother's new boarding school, Illyria Prep, in his place and pretends to be a boy in order to play on the boys' soccer team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jenna Dewan</span> American actress, dancer (born 1980)

Jenna Lee Dewan is an American actress and dancer. She started her career as a backup dancer for Janet Jackson, and later worked with artists including Christina Aguilera, Pink, and Missy Elliott. She is known for her role as Nora Clark in the 2006 film Step Up. She has also starred on the short-lived NBC series The Playboy Club and had a recurring role on the FX series American Horror Story: Asylum. She portrayed Freya Beauchamp on the Lifetime series Witches of East End, Lucy Lane in The CW series Supergirl and Superman & Lois, and Joanna in Soundtrack on Netflix. Dewan has hosted the reality television shows World of Dance and Flirty Dancing and served as a judge on Come Dance with Me. She currently stars as Bailey Nune on ABC's The Rookie. She also had a recurring role on the FOX medical drama The Resident.

<i>Step Up</i> (film) 2006 film by Anne Fletcher

Step Up is a 2006 American teen romantic dance drama film directed by Anne Fletcher from a screenplay by Duane Adler and Melissa Rosenberg and a story by Adler. The film stars Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Mario, Drew Sidora, Damaine Radcliff, and Rachel Griffiths.

<i>Magic Mike</i> 2012 film by Steven Soderbergh

Magic Mike is a 2012 American comedy-drama film directed by Steven Soderbergh and starring Channing Tatum, Alex Pettyfer, Matt Bomer, Joe Manganiello, and Matthew McConaughey. The plot revolves around Adam, a 19-year-old college dropout who enters the world of male stripping, guided by Mike Lane, who has been in the business for six years.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dicky Eklund</span> American boxer (born 1957)

Richard Eklund Jr. is an American former professional boxer who competed from 1975 to 1985. Known as "The Pride of Lowell", he held the USA New England welterweight title twice between 1979 and 1983. He is the half-brother and former trainer of former WBU champion Micky Ward. The 2010 biopic The Fighter is based on the two brothers' fall and rise to the boxing title.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gambit in other media</span> Appearances of Gambit in cinema, television and video games

This is a list of non-comics media appearances of Gambit.

<i>The Fighter</i> 2010 American film by David O. Russell

The Fighter is a 2010 American biographical sports drama film directed by David O. Russell, and stars Mark Wahlberg, Christian Bale, Amy Adams, and Melissa Leo. The film centers on the lives of professional boxer Micky Ward (Wahlberg) and his older half-brother and former boxer Dicky Eklund (Bale). The film was loosely based on the events from the late 90s when Mark beats Dennis’ wife in a game of tic tac toe. The film was inspired by the 1995 documentary featuring the Eklund-Ward family titled High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell.

<i>The Vow</i> (2012 film) 2012 film by Michael Sucsy

The Vow is a 2012 American romantic drama film directed by Michael Sucsy and written by Abby Kohn, Marc Silverstein, and Jason Katims, inspired by the true story of Kim and Krickitt Carpenter. The film stars Rachel McAdams and Channing Tatum as Paige and Leo Collins, with Sam Neill, Scott Speedman, Jessica Lange and Jessica McNamee in supporting roles. As of 2013, The Vow was the eighth highest-grossing romantic drama film produced since 1980. This was Spyglass Entertainment's last film before the company's closure in 2012 and it's revival in 2019.

<i>10 Years</i> (2011 film) Film by Jamie Linden

10 Years is a 2011 American romantic comedy film written and directed by Jamie Linden in his directorial debut. It stars an ensemble cast including Channing Tatum, Jenna Dewan, Justin Long, Kate Mara, Rosario Dawson, Oscar Isaac, Lynn Collins, Chris Pratt, Scott Porter, Brian Geraghty, Aubrey Plaza, and Anthony Mackie. It was released September 14, 2012, in select theaters.

<i>Jupiter Ascending</i> 2015 film by The Wachowskis

Jupiter Ascending is a 2015 space opera film written, directed and co-produced by the Wachowskis. Starring Channing Tatum and Mila Kunis with Sean Bean, Eddie Redmayne and Douglas Booth in supporting roles, the film is centered on Jupiter Jones (Kunis), an ordinary cleaning woman, and Caine Wise (Tatum), an interplanetary warrior who informs Jones that her destiny extends beyond Earth. Supporting cast member Douglas Booth has described the film's fictional universe as a cross between The Matrix and Star Wars, while Kunis identified indulgence and consumerism as its underlying themes.

<i>Triple Frontier</i> (film) 2019 film directed by J. C. Chandor

Triple Frontier is a 2019 American action-adventure film directed by J. C. Chandor, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mark Boal. The film stars Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, Garrett Hedlund and Pedro Pascal as a group of former U.S. Army Delta Force operators who reunite to plan a heist of a South American crime lord Gabriel Martin Lorea.

<i>Logan Lucky</i> 2017 American film by Steven Soderbergh

Logan Lucky is a 2017 American independent heist comedy film directed by Steven Soderbergh, based on a screenplay credited to Rebecca Blunt. Soderbergh came out of retirement to direct the film and distributed it independently through his own company, Fingerprint Releasing. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Riley Keough, Daniel Craig, Seth MacFarlane, Katie Holmes, Hilary Swank, Katherine Waterston, and Sebastian Stan. The film follows the Logan family and their attempt to rob the Charlotte Motor Speedway whilst avoiding security officers and the FBI.

<i>Smallfoot</i> (film) 2018 film by Karey Kirkpatrick

Smallfoot is a 2018 American animated musical comedy film co-produced by Warner Animation Group and Zaftig Films, and distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures. Based on the unpublished children's book Yeti Tracks by Sergio Pablos, the film was co-written and directed by Karey Kirkpatrick, and stars the voices of Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez, Danny DeVito, Yara Shahidi, Ely Henry and Jimmy Tatro. The plot follows a tribe of Himalayan Yeti who come across a human being, with each species thinking the other was just a myth.

Gambit is an unproduced American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. It was intended to be an installment of the X-Men film series. Before its cancellation, the film had been written by Josh Zetumer based on a story by the character's creator Chris Claremont. Channing Tatum was set to star in the title role.

<i>Dog</i> (2022 film) 2022 film directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin

Dog is a 2022 American comedy drama road film directed by Channing Tatum and Reid Carolin, both making their respective film directorial debuts, based on a story by Carolin and Brett Rodriguez. The film stars Tatum as an Army Ranger who is tasked with escorting the military dog of his fallen friend to his funeral. The film also stars Jane Adams, Kevin Nash, Q'orianka Kilcher, Ethan Suplee, Emmy Raver-Lampman, and Nicole LaLiberte in supporting roles. The film was produced by Free Association on a budget of $15 million.

<i>Fly Me to the Moon</i> (2024 film) Upcoming film by Greg Berlanti

Fly Me to the Moon is an upcoming American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti and written by Rose Gilroy. The film stars Scarlett Johansson, Channing Tatum, Nick Dillenburg, Anna Garcia, Jim Rash, Noah Robbins, Colin Woodell, Christian Zuber, Donald Elise Watkins, Ray Romano, and Woody Harrelson. Its plot follows the relationship between a marketing specialist and a NASA director during the 1960s Space Race.

References

  1. "High on Crack Street: Lost Lives in Lowell". DCTV Store. Retrieved 2016-05-03.
  2. "'Boo-Boo' told to leave N.H. & never come back". Laconia Daily Sun. 2013-09-13. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  3. "Gary E. Giuffrida". legacy.com. Retrieved 2016-12-28.
  4. Gray, Kevin (2010). "'The Fighter' and the Damage Done". Men's Journal. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  5. Redmond, Lisa (2015-12-08). "'Domestic-assault charge vs. Eklund dropped". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  6. Savard, Rita (2007-06-14). "In Lowell slay trial, drug deal tied to woman's final hours". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  7. "Crime Briefs". Lowell Sun. 2010-01-29. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  8. "Paul Campbell". IMDb . Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  9. Silverstein, Jason (2015-01-09). "Massachusetts man killed by cops had family ties to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, roles in 'The Fighter' and 'American Hustle'". NY Daily News . Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  10. "Weymouth woman, 72, found dead after police kill son". The Boston Globe . January 20, 2015. Retrieved 2022-02-15.
  11. Briere, Rachel (2009-08-04). "'Crack Street' director turns spotlight on own lost life". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  12. Adler, Tim (2010-05-17). "CANNES: Channing Tatum To Play Junkie". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  13. Macnab, Geoffrey (2010-05-18). "Berkeley Square works on Dennis Lehane, Channing Tatum projects". Screen Daily. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  14. "What's Left of Us". IMDB. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  15. "Richard Farrell". HuffPost . Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  16. Clauss, Kyle (2014-11-18). "Lowell man's funeral had many friends in tow". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2016-12-10.
  17. Scott, Christopher (2007-01-08). "CITY CLOSES DOUGHNUT SHOP; NEEDLES, COCAINE, BLOOD OBSERVED". Lowell Sun. Retrieved 2017-04-16.