A Raisin in the Sun (2008)

It Is Okay To Like This Production

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-. July 10, 2008

A Raisin in the Sun

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. July 3, 2008

Puffy vs. Sidney - Sidney wins by a mile

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. June 29, 2008

I enjoyed this :->

To be honest, I cannot compare this to the original, the play or the book. I haven't seen or read any of the above. I wanted to see this because I knew of the story, liked the look of the cast and because I knew how acclaimed this is. I really enjoyed it.
I thought acting by ALL was very good and Sean Combs was very good in it; almost like he's an actor rather than music mogul. Phylicia Rashad stole the movie - she played his mother and the scene where she finds out that her late husbands money has all gone, was amazing. I've always known her to be a comic actress and yet this performance was superb. John Stamos has a small role where he plays a nerdy (played well) white guy who is trying to deter the family from moving into a white neiborhood.
As the dvd cover says on the back - "Dreams can make a life worth living, but they can also be dashed by bad decisions". This is mostly what the movie is about. But how the family pull together to still give themselves a better life is the true lesson.
As I said, I cannot compare this version to anything else, but I really enjoyed it and thought it was done very well and acted well by everyone. I hope that it will get some Emmy nods because I feel it's very deserving. I loved it and hope you do as well.
June 22, 2008

Raisin Graduated To A New Class

"Raisin" loaned itself to a brand new generation of viewers and listeners. Although the theme was the same for both, the earlier version with Sidney Poitier and the now version with Sean Combs, it is a powerful movie that transends age, race, and gender. It is a universal story that touches the heart and inspires the soul of any human being who opens its mind to love of family and dreams for a better life. It overcomes injustice, prejudice, racism, sexism, and triumphs on the will of the human spirit. As a writer, Lorraine Hansberry continues to haunt our conscienceness and make us better humans in spite of our frailties. Excellent rating. June 19, 2008

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