A Raisin in the Sun
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Movie Reviews of A Raisin in the Sun
Movie Review: well...
Summary: 3 Stars
This was based off of a great play. However this movie was kind of bad and did not reflect well on the play. But i guess i should say something good considering i do like this movie. Well Benetha, Ruth, Travis, and Mama(Lena) were very good. BUT WALTER PLAYED BY P-DIDDY! WAS TERBILE! I LOVED THE PLAY!!!!! However he ruined the chataer of walter. He is terrbile. When he is sad he seems happy, when he is happy he seems sad P-Diddy should never get a job again. Plus Ausagi was looking like he was rich which he was not really and i did not picture him walking around in suits. Also the great speech the Benitha gave about why she wanted to be a doctor was not in it which made me so sad becuse that was one of my favriote parts.Movie Review: inferior to 1961 version
Summary: 3 Stars
This version is inferior to the 1961 Sidney Poitier version in almost every way. Even my 10th grade urban English classroom, all of whom at first wanted to see the "color" version, agreed--acting, directing, even quality of subtitling for hearing impaired was very disappointing when compared to the b/w Sidney Poitier 1961 version. If this is the only version you can find, it's better than nothing--it's a watchable version of an incredible play. But if you want the best...I've made myself clear. I, who already had the 1961 version on DVD, wish I hadn't picked this one up without having seen some of it first. I'd have saved myself some money.Movie Review: Where is the EMOTION??
Summary: 2 Stars
I saw this when it aired on ABC in February, and I was really disappointed. This was the same cast that had revived this legendary play on Broadway a few years ago and it supposedly got good reviews. However, I felt this television production was lacking a lot of things - namely the passion and intensity that was so prevalent in the classic 1961 film. Something about this entire production felt a little "off" to me. It wasn't terrible, but I was left with the impression that the cast, good as it was, couldn't really connect to the roles they were playing and were basically sleepwalking through the entire movie.
I expected more from Phylicia Rashad, who is a wonderful actress, as matriarch Lena Younger - she was the main reason why I decided to tune in in the first place. But even she was lackluster, and that was a surprize, since the Lena role is one that is formidably powerful. Audra McDonald (Ruth) and Sanaa Lathan (Beneatha) are both exceptionally good actresses, but watching this, they were just okay. Also Beneatha's appearance in this production totally contradicts the person she claims to be (someone who says she isn't an "assimilationist" wouldn't wear her hair any other way but natural - but then, one could argue that Diana Sands didn't wear her hair natural in the 1961 version, either). Parts of the story where the emotion should have been explosive and moving just fizzled out or wasn't there at all: For example, the scene where Walter's friend tells him that their buddy took off with their money - Walter's reaction is so low key, it's almost as if he shugged it off. The same thing goes for when Walter has to break the news to his family. They show a little more trepidation than Walter does, but not by much.
Sean "Diddy" Combs, or whatever name he is calling himself this week, is no Sidney Poitier or Danny Glover (who reprised the role of Walter Lee Younger in a TV movie that aired in the late '80s). I'm sorry, but Combs cannot act. I know he tried, but his performance simply was not believable, period. No one can deny that he is a solid hit-maker in the field of music and an successful enterpreneur - I give him props for that - but he leaves a lot to be desired as an actor. Just because he's been cast in other films and spouts a few lines that Poitier did in the original Broadway play and the movie doesn't make him "great" or even an actor. However, that depends on what you think qualifies as such. Those who feel that way need to watch the 1961 film and then redefine the word "great" in their vocabulary.
Ultimately the blame for this lethargic production has to go to the director, who should have elicited more from his cast. I will say that the good thing about it was at least there was a modern cast with actors that most people of this generation have heard of. "A Raisin In The Sun" is a sensational play that will continue to resonate with audiences as the years go by, but it deserves to be performed with the passion that I'm sure Lorraine Hansberry would have wanted.
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.Movie Review: YUK!!!
Summary: 1 Stars
Were we all watching the same program??? Someone must owe S. Combs big time for allowing this EXTREMELY DREADFUL adaptation of this classic to be released for purchase. Like another reviewer, I tunned in to see Rashads' critically-acclaimed take on the role of Lena Younger and I could not believe how someone so talented could be so unconvincing. The whole movie in a nut-shell is....Just awful.
Do yourself a favor and try and find a copy of the now OOP American Play House version starring Danny Glover & Esther Rolle....this performace is what true/committed acting is all about.