A Raisin in the Sun

A Raisin in the Sun Review

One of the most spellbinding films I've ever seen, and certainly the film that Sidney Poitier should be remembered for (and the one that should have netted him the Oscar, not that horribly mediocre `Lilies of the Field' film), `A Raisin in the Sun' is a powerful look at racism, poverty, religion, dreams and aspirations as well as to importance of family and togetherness. With a stellar cast (seriously, Oscar nominations should have been handed out to nearly everyone) and a tightly woven and poignant script, this film is a total must see.

I think it is safe to say that I didn't expect this to move me as much as it did.

The film revolves around a check for ,000, made out to Lena Younger, the matriarch of an African American family living in Chicago. With the check scheduled to arrive in mere days, everyone in the family is expressing their feelings as to how the money should be spent. Despite seemingly noble motives, the divided interests of the family begin to ware at the fibers of their unity and cause them to turn on one another. Walter is a struggling chauffer who just wants a chance to provide for his family. His plans are hasty but he means well. His wife, Ruth, looks at the expected money as a chance to get out of their small, cramped living space and really spread out (get their son off the couch maybe), but her role as `supportive wife' makes it difficult to really voice her concerns. Beneatha, Walter's sister, is spoiled and naïve to her cultured existence, developing a certain arrogance that lends itself to disapproval from those around her. She, of course, feels that the money should be spent on furthering her education.

In the end, the final hand is to be dealt by Lena herself, a wise woman who knows just how to give her family what they need, even if they don't see it that way.

The film, adapted from a stage play, never plays to the confines that most stage-to-screen adaptations bare with. It feels open and free even if the scenes all take place within the small confines of a cramped apartment (mostly). This is thanks in large part to the fantastic performances that litter the screen. Sidney Poitier, an actor I often find stiff and highly overrated, is a revelation here as Walter. He just commands every scene with a theatrical naturalness that is rarely seen in films today. He is supporting by a strong female cast, most notably Ruby Dee, who is beautifully restrained as Ruth. Diana Sands is also stellar as the self-centered Beneatha, and Claudia McNeil is remarkable as the wise Lena Younger.

With a delicate yet affirmative stand on very sensitive subjects, `A Raisin in the Sun' is a beautiful film that everyone should see. I have not seen the made-for-television remake, but I cannot imagine it can hold a candle to this finely crafted and unforgettable experience.

A Raisin in the Sun Overview

An insurance check can allow the Youngers to escape their frustrating life in a crowded Chicago apartment, but escape means different things to each f

A Raisin in the Sun Specifications

Lorraine Hansberry's play is given sensitive treatment by filmmaker Daniel Petrie (The Bay Boy). Sidney Poitier heads a fine cast in the story of an African American family in Chicago who are struggling with mixed aspirations, not enough money, conflicts over religion, and institutional racism. The film is pretty much set-bound (as plays adapted for the screen sometimes are), but the drama is intense and moving. --Tom Keogh

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