Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored
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Canada
Movie Reviews of Once Upon a Time...When We Were Colored
Movie Review: A Good Cast
Summary: 4 Stars
This Movie had a lot of good acting in it. The Story is about a little boy growing up During the Cotton Picking Times. And when there Talk of Moving to the North for Freedom, Some African Americans moved on and others stayed. The story has some familure scenes. It's Kinda like The Color Purple. But the Color Purple Was more intense then this.Movie Review: A special film, heartfelt, soft spoken.
Summary: 4 Stars
Tim Reid has not been `that guy from WKRP' for some time now. And no, he wasn't Isaac on The Love Boat either. He still finds himself in too many schlocky TV movies, and weak situation comedies. One must pay the rent, and no one can argue with that.More and more a champion of black film, he has been careful, deliberate in his choice of projects to produce. Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, elevates him, appropriately, as a serious filmmaker, black, white, or otherwise.
This is not a `new' film, but it is a different approach. An insightful look into Afro-American existence during turbulent times, the focus is on the community, rather than the oppression, the individuals rather than the cause. The result is every bit as effective in getting the message across. `You get more flies with honey...'
Al Freeman Jr. gets a well-deserved opportunity to show that he's not just some kind of TV Morgan Freeman. His portrayal of Poppa, the family patriarch is wonderful and slighted unfortunately by the Academy. Even the Image awards overlooked him, preferring to bestow honor on the over-cooked and under-talented Phylicia Rashad, one of the only weak links in this strong cast. Bernie Casey and Richard Roundtree both play well against their macho-type.
Don't expect to be hit over the head with the ideas of this film. Just let it ease you on down the road, and, take a look around, every so often as you do.
Movie Review: Few screen portrayals of Afrian Americans ring as true.
Summary: 5 Stars
While parts of this film are a bit saccharine, on the whole I would say that this is one of the best portrayals of African American family life that I have ever seen. The characters' concerns and fears ring true, as do their support mechanisms in difficult situations. The movie made me lament things that African Americans have lost as we have moved to cities and away from our traditional communities.Movie Review: Excellent
Summary: 5 Stars
I thought this movie was very interesting. It showed what African-Americans went through during their struggles.