Movie Reviews for A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun

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Movie Reviews of A Raisin in the Sun

Movie Review: Love Or Money
Summary: 5 Stars

I never saw the Broadway production and I never saw the original film of Raisin in the Sun, so I had a fresh take on my un-biased oppinion about this version. all I can say is I love it. The acting is absoulutely fantastic. It's rare when you see a movie like this nowadays, most movies released now are violent action superhero melodramas we've all seen before. A Raisin In The Sun is drama based and character driven and the passion displayed in this film is emotionally charged. You can tell the actors loved their characters, instead of just reading off a script. I will say again how rare it is to find a recent film with exceptional writing and an interesting story. I loved Philicia Rashad's performance. She deserved the emmy. I also loved P. Diddy (didn't know he could act too!). He has practically mastered everything at this point. (Check out his colgne "Unforgivable")! A shameless plug. I also loved Audra McDonald's performance. She should have received an emmy too. The cast and the writing carried this movie and turned what could have been your average movie of the week into an above average rendition of an already famous Broadway play and film.

Movie Review: sun yourself
Summary: 5 Stars

While I had been aware of the fact that a stage production revival had been underway, i didn't know that a new version of the movie had been made. Now, I am a serious fan of Sidney Poitier and know that his finest performance was in RITS, lets give credit here, Sidney Poitier is one of the greatest actors ever, and it is his own greatness that in RITS was his downfall. It is difficult to suspend disbelief and see Poitier as the downtrodden worker-for-the-man that RITS expects him to be. It's like trying to envision Tom Cruise as an every-man mechanic in the new War of the Worlds, you just can't stomach it. Enter Sean 'P-Diddy' Combs. Here we have a hip hop star whose credibility even as a music artist seemed bleak at best, let alone his trying out one of the toughest dramatic roles of all time. But to me, Sean does the job and then some. Here is the passionate man who just wants a break to be something better. He is convinced that he is made for greatness and thanks to Sean's portrayal, there is never room for doubt in my mind that this character has had it rough his whole life. The three women are absolutely amazing as has been said and the production itself with its' jittery camera work gives you a view of this family as though you were right there with them as a visitor in their house. This version of A Raisin in the Sun deserves a place in your collection next to your finest movies including the original version of this classic story. 5 stars+

Movie Review: It Is Okay To Like This Production
Summary: 5 Stars

What happens when a film classic is revived? Sometimes it flops, but at other times it shines in a way not like the original but stands alone as a fine production. Such is what happens with Kenny Leon's revival of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," which is a new version for a new audience while still remaining faithful to the original play. Having just seen again the original 1961 movie I was all set to not like the 2008 film. Not to worry. Mr. Leon has every reason to be proud of his work here. The three women are exceptional. Phylicia Rashad as the matriarch of the Younger family brings a youthfulness to the character of a woman still very much engaged in life and seeping with quiet strenth. Audra McDonald becomes the charcter Ruth, and Sanaa Lathan as Beneatha literally shines as the young twenty-year-old so full of ambition and hope for a better life. While Sean Combs is no Sidney Poitier and is not always completely believable as Walter, he redeems himself in the climatic scene when he delivers his "we just want to be good neighbors" speech to John Stamos, the spokesman for the white neighborhood where the Younger family will be moving to shortly.

There are nice touches added to this film not in the original version, if you have to compare the two. There are more scenes outside of the cramped, claustrophobic apartment where much of the action takes place. Additionally the voice over of Morgan Freeman reading the Langston Hughes poem "A Raisin in the Sun" is beautiful.

Incuded with the DVD is a version of the film with running commentary by Mr. Leon as well as interviews with practically everyone connected with the film. Much is made by all of them that this is a classic, that it is all about living one's dreams, the ability to love, etc., etc., etc., all of which is true. But there is an elephant in the room that these folks are too kind to mention: that at the heart of this movie is the ugly word "racism." Unfortunately too many white people in this country still do not want a black family moving into their neighborhood.

"A Raisin in the Sun" is in the same league as other American classics: "A Streetcar Named Desire, "Death of A Salesman" and "Long Day's Journey into Night." It will be produced anew for each generation, whether on stage or in film. Mr. Leon's version certainly gets an A-.

Movie Review: A Raisin in the Sun
Summary: 5 Stars

I saw it on the stage and was delighted that the performances of these gifted actors was preserved for posterity. I wish there was more great theatre filmed so those who cannot afford the high cost of attending preofessional theatre can stil experience the thrill of great theatrical treasures like this remarkable play.

Movie Review: Puffy vs. Sidney - Sidney wins by a mile
Summary: 2 Stars

I bought this film to show my 10th grade English class after we finished reading the play. I thought this version might better hold my students attention since it is in color and stars Sean Combs. While the three women do a great job, Sean Combs seems sedated in his role as Walter. He just doesn't have that powder keg ready to explode energy that Sidney Poitier brought to the role. Also for teaching purposes, I would highly recommend showing the Sidney Poitier version. It sticks much closer to the original play. The new version has some unnecessary extra scenes that I assume were added just to get the film out of the apartment.
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