Year of Release: 1961Country of Origin: USA
Director: Daniel Petrie
Cast: Sidney Poitier, Claudia McNeil, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands
Plot outline: A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family (IMDb).
Released in 1961, the story revolves around the changes that are taking place within the Younger family. The father of the family has died, leaving behind a ten thousand dollar insurance policy. The money causes a crisis of changing morals for Lena Younger and her two grown children. As a movie it comes off very well, although, there are times when the director seems to give up on the idea of camera movement completely. Other times the camera work is dynamic and telling. The real gold here is in the script and the performances, all of the characters are strong and well drawn out. The cast is flawless each one of them (with the exception of the little boy, who's part is limited) communicate things with a look or gesture that many modern performers don't seem to be able to. There are times when the melodrama can feel like a bit much, but you have to make allowances for the style of filmmaking, and from the fact that the playwright adapted her own work. There are conventions on stage that don't translate into movie, and I think that is why some of the more theatrical moments come off a bit wonky. This is a minor thing and does not distract at all from the power of the whole, but to modern eyes especially it will seem overdone at times. More than anything else, A Raisin in the Sun is a story about people who will not give up their dignity. Even in the face of a world that they didn't build that tries to take it away. It is a raw, stunning piece of work that is justly regarded as one of the classics. (JH)
My judgement: ***1/2 out of 4 stars
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