On R List of Movie Reviews
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A Raisin in the Sun (1961)
Rate:
5
Viewed:
12/15, 5/19
12/15:
I read the play A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry many years ago and came away impressed,
but I'm not sure why I never saw the film until now.
Whenever Sidney Poitier is cast, my expectations are always set very high. And in A Raisin in the Sun,
they're easily met. He's simply a tour de force. The most impressive sight is Sidney Poitier in the same scene
with the young Louis Gossett, Jr. (in his film debut), who will be Oscar winners, becoming the first two black
males to receive them.
Claudia McNeil doesn't get enough credit for her powerful performance as she goes against Sidney Poitier. It
turns out they didn't like each other while making the picture due to their creative differences. Many themes
are touched upon: poverty, hope, racism, family dynamics, trust, religion, gambling, pride, and the lack of
education and opportunities for blacks. It's amazing how all of them are packed into a two-hour film which can
be tragic at times.
All in all, A Raisin in the Sun is a black cinema classic.
5/19:
Sadly, my rating of A Raisin in the Sun is dropped from '10' to '5'.
I realize now it's an overwrought, talky film, resembling too much of a play which takes a while to get to
the point. At least, the second half is better than the first half that's merely an excuse to explain what
happened in the past. I hate when they do that.
Sidney Poitier is okay but is guilty of overacting with his arms flapping all over the place. Instead, Claudia
McNeil wins me over with her subdued performance. Ruby Dee isn't much of an actress. Louis Gossett, Jr., makes
his film debut and will go on to be the third black thespian ever to win an Oscar which is nineteen years after
Sidney Poitier's dramatic victory for Lilies of the Field.
All in all, reducing the high amount of lines will be beneficial for A Raisin in the Sun.