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The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019): Cast & Ratings

The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) movie poster

The Last Black Man in San Francisco is a 2019 drama directed by Joe Talbot, starring Jimmie Fails as Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors and Danny Glover. It runs 2 hours 1 minute and earned $4.6 million worldwide. It won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Low Budget – Comedy or Drama at the Artios Awards 2020. Critics gave it 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10.

IMDb rating
7.2/10
Rotten Tomatoes
93%
worldwide gross
$4.6M
award won
1
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The Last Black Man in San Francisco (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 1m (121 min)
Director
Joe Talbot
Genre
Drama
Original language
English
Studio
A24
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Last Black Man in San Francisco About?

The premise of The Last Black Man in San Francisco without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Amidst the changing landscape of San Francisco, Jimmie Fails grapples with his family's history and a disappearing community. He and his friend Mont are drawn to a grand Victorian house that once belonged to Jimmie’s grandfather, a celebrated writer. As they attempt to reclaim the house, they confront themes of displacement, memory, and the struggle to preserve identity in a rapidly evolving city, reflecting on what it means to belong.

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • friendship
  • skateboarding
  • african american
  • male frontal nudity
  • male nudity
  • gentrification
  • squatter
  • san francisco california
  • color in title
  • seven word title
  • bromance
  • house
+38 more
  • playwright
  • father son relationship
  • play within a film
  • poverty
  • place in title
  • independent film
  • death of friend
  • racism
  • fraternal bond
  • grandfather grandson relationship
  • estranged mother
  • sketchbook
  • blind man
  • bus stop
  • segway tour
  • cable car
  • nudist
  • sauna
  • instagram
  • realtor
  • organ
  • bootleg dvd
  • soapbox orator
  • reference to george jetson
  • montage
  • year 2019
  • title appears in writing
  • social drama
  • director cameo
  • male full frontal nudity
  • old man nudity
  • naked old man
  • public nudity
  • city in title
  • n word
  • reference to franklin d. roosevelt
  • aunt nephew relationship
  • skateboard
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Cast & crew

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Cast & Characters

Jimmie Fails leads the cast as Jimmie Fails, with Jonathan Majors as Montgomery Allen and Danny Glover as Grandpa Allen. Directed by Joe Talbot; 12 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Last Black Man in San Francisco

· 8 more
Ratings

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Last Black Man in San Francisco 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.2/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in story & flow (60).

83 /100

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Echo Score Breakdown

In its overall design, The Last Black Man in San Francisco offers a poetic meditation on place and memory anchored by striking visual and sonic elements. Critics highlight its moving lament on gentrification and personal mythology even as they note occasional narrative drift and an unhurried pacing. Users report that the abstract, dreamlike structure can be both thought-provoking and demanding on attention. These varied impressions converge around a film whose lyrical strengths and deliberate rhythm resonate despite intermittent meandering.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, the film excels in its visual composition and precise framing. Critics praise its visually striking tone poem, noting rich color palettes and a distinct static rhythm that underscores thematic resonance. Users appreciate smart shot selection and meticulous editing that enhance the emotional undercurrents. Together, these elements cohere into a compelling aesthetic experience rooted in deliberate visual design.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film delivers nuanced performances that anchor its poetic ambitions. Critics note the depth of the central relationship and the emotional resonance of personal mythology, even as some view the pacing as undermining narrative momentum. Users commend the authenticity of performances and the chemistry between leads. Overall, character portrayals imbue the story with genuine emotional weight.

  • Story & Flow 60

    In terms of story and flow, the film embraces an unconventional, meandering structure that emphasizes mood over linear progression. Critics describe a static rhythm and dreamlike passages that highlight thematic depth while occasionally hindering narrative clarity. Users find the pacing deliberately slow and note opportunities to tighten the runtime, though many recognize the abstraction as integral to its poetic intent. The net effect is an engaging yet uneven narrative rhythm.

  • Sensory Experience 90

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film distinguishes itself through an evocative score and immersive sound design that reflect the city’s cultural tapestry. Critics praise the nuanced soundtrack and eclectic song choices, while users highlight the sweeping musical themes and atmospheric audio cues that heighten emotional impact. Combined with a cohesive visual style, these elements create a richly layered sensory landscape that resonates long after viewing.

  • Rewatch Factor 80

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film offers lasting appeal through its thematic depth and poetic structure. Critics observe that its lyrical qualities and emotional core invite reflective viewing, even if the leisurely pace may divide audiences. Users report that memorable visual motifs and resonant moments reward multiple viewings, though some suggest the narrative could feel repetitive. On balance, it sustains a strong appeal for subsequent engagements.

Plot

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Plot Summary

What happens in The Last Black Man in San Francisco from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Jimmie Fails, a young man navigating life in Bayview–Hunters Point, San Francisco, often roams around the vibrant city alongside his best friend, Montgomery (Mont) Allen, with whom he shares a home, living together with Mont’s grandfather, Danny Glover. Their daily routine includes waiting for the bus, a moment during which they witness the constant transformation of their beloved city and the passionate protests aiming to preserve its essence. One of their favorite destinations is a Victorian house located in the Fillmore District, a place steeped in Jimmie’s fond memories as it was where he grew up.

Full summary

The whole story of The Last Black Man in San Francisco, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Box Office

The Last Black Man in San Francisco grossed $4.6 million worldwide. $4.5 million came from the US and Canada and $122,111 (3%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$4.6M

US & Canada
$4.5M
International
$122.1K
US & Canada 97% Rest of the world 3%
Awards

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Awards & Nominations

The Last Black Man in San Francisco won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Low Budget – Comedy or Drama at the Artios Awards 2020. Its biggest night was the Artios Awards 2020, with 1 win from 1 nomination.

1 win4 nominations3 ceremonies

Videos

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Trailers & Videos

4 videos: 1 trailer, 2 clips and 1 featurette.

Official Trailer
  • Clip The Last Black Man in San Francisco Skating the Bay Area
  • Clip The Last Black Man in San Francisco Heartwarming Moments
  • Featurette THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO is an Ode to Male Friendship
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Last Black Man in San Francisco?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is Jimmie Fails' best friend?

Details

The Last Black Man in San Francisco Also Known As

21 alternative titles, including “Последний черный в Сан-Франциско” and “Ostatni Czarny w San Francisco”.

Also known as
  • Последний черный в Сан-Франциско
  • Ostatni Czarny w San Francisco
  • Останній темношкірий у Сан-Франциско
  • 라스트 블랙 맨 인 샌프란시스코
  • O Último Homem Negro em San Francisco
  • El último hombre negro en San Francisco
  • 旧金山的最后一个黑人
  • 最後一個舊金山的黑人
  • Ultimul bărbat negru din San Francisco
  • האיש השחור האחרון בסן פרנסיסקו
  • ชายผิวดำคนสุดท้ายในซานฟรานซิสโก
  • Paskutinis juodaodis San Franciske
+9 more
  • ラストブラックマン・イン・サンフランシスコ
  • Pēdējais tumšādainais vīrietis Sanfrancisko
  • 何處是吾家
  • Ο τελευταίος μαύρος στο Σαν Φρανσίσκο
  • Le dernier homme noir de San Francisco
  • Poslední černoch v San Franciscu
  • Az utolsó fekete férfi San Franciscóban
  • آخر رجل أسود في سان فرانسيسكو
  • Người da đen cuối cùng ở San Francisco

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FAQ

The Last Black Man in San Francisco FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of The Last Black Man in San Francisco, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Last Black Man in San Francisco?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco runs 2 hours 1 minute (121 minutes).

When was The Last Black Man in San Francisco released?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco was released on June 7, 2019.

Who directed The Last Black Man in San Francisco?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco was directed by Joe Talbot.

More films by Joe Talbot

Who is in the cast of The Last Black Man in San Francisco?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco stars Jimmie Fails as Jimmie Fails, Jonathan Majors as Montgomery Allen and Danny Glover as Grandpa Allen, among 12 credited actors.

How much did The Last Black Man in San Francisco make at the box office?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco grossed $4.6 million worldwide ($4.5 million domestic, $122,111 international).

How is The Last Black Man in San Francisco rated?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco has 7.2/10 on IMDb, 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 70% on TMDB.

What awards did The Last Black Man in San Francisco win?

The Last Black Man in San Francisco won 1 award from 4 nominations, including Low Budget – Comedy or Drama at the Artios Awards 2020.

Does The Last Black Man in San Francisco have a post-credit scene?

No. The Last Black Man in San Francisco has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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