Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
IMDbPro

Cadillac Dreams

  • 1988
  • 30m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
49
YOUR RATING
Cadillac Dreams (1988)
Short

A young drug runner's dreams of being a great inventor give way to the equally unlikely dream of living to be 20.A young drug runner's dreams of being a great inventor give way to the equally unlikely dream of living to be 20.A young drug runner's dreams of being a great inventor give way to the equally unlikely dream of living to be 20.

  • Director
    • Matia Karrell
  • Writers
    • Ehrich Van Lowe
    • C.W. Cressler
    • Matia Karrell
  • Stars
    • Claude Brooks
    • Donald Fullilove
    • Mario Gardner
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    49
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Matia Karrell
    • Writers
      • Ehrich Van Lowe
      • C.W. Cressler
      • Matia Karrell
    • Stars
      • Claude Brooks
      • Donald Fullilove
      • Mario Gardner
    • 4User reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Oscar
      • 2 nominations total

    Photos4

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster

    Top cast13

    Edit
    Claude Brooks
    Claude Brooks
    • Eight Ball
    Donald Fullilove
    Donald Fullilove
    • Snake
    Mario Gardner
    • Spanky
    Wayne Collins
    • Markus
    • (as Wayne Collins Jr.)
    Mimi Green
    • Mom
    John H. Freeland Jr.
    John H. Freeland Jr.
    • Gunner
    Lawrence A. Mandley
    Lawrence A. Mandley
    • Ace
    • (as Lawrence Mandley)
    Lewis Dix Jr.
    Lewis Dix Jr.
    • Fuller
    Christopher Brown
    • Sly
    Charles Holman
    • Gamer
    Tommy Morgan
    • Ball-Handler
    Barbara Barnes
    • Wife
    Nicole Mays
    • Baby
    • Director
      • Matia Karrell
    • Writers
      • Ehrich Van Lowe
      • C.W. Cressler
      • Matia Karrell
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews4

    6.949
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    Featured reviews

    Schooner1989

    A hidden gem

    I agree with reviewers who are wondering how this short film could be so overlooked. There's a reason it was nominated for an Oscar: it is that good. Matia Karrell is a wonderful director.
    10ajleon-83099

    A great L.A gritty street movie

    Haunting movie about life on the wrong side of the law.Fast paced with exceptional acting and direction. Shocking ending leaves you asking why and looking for answers.The haunting voice in the opening soliloquy pulls you right in.You wonder why this movie didn't get more exposure.If you like raw movies it is a must see.I
    10theaterbuff

    Wow!

    Totally absorbing story of two brothers tempted by the urban drug culture, and how each handles his demons. Reminds me of Hoop Dreams in that kids can battle seemingly impossible odds. No wonder it was nominated for an Oscar.

    Short film, probably out of print. Found it in my local library.
    9planktonrules

    How could this movie be so overlooked?!

    CADILLAC DREAMS was justifiably nominated for an Oscar for Best Live Action Short in 1989 and it's absolutely amazing that following this more wasn't achieved. First, so far only 7 people have seen and voted on it on IMDb and oddly its score is less than 6. Second, while the screenplay, acting and direction were superb, since 1988 most of those responsible for making this film have had mediocre careers, at best. You'd really have thought that these folks would be on top of the world. Instead, some haven't gone on to professional careers or only have a few credits here and there and this is a shame since it's a heck of a film.

    The story appears to be set in Los Angeles and concerns two brothers--one, a drug dealer who is going nowhere fast and the other his less street-wise brother who might just have a future. While I usually don't like a lot of profanity in films, given the situations in the film, it is very appropriate and still make this a timely film for today. Even though it's 20 years later, only the hairstyles and clothes have changed--the struggle over right and wrong continues.

    Exceptional in every way, this film strongly deserves to be seen and appreciated.

    Storyline

    Edit

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    Details

    Edit
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      30 minutes
    • Color
      • Color

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • IMDb Answers: Help fill gaps in our data
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.