A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

Absolutely brilliant

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

It's easily one of the freshest, sharpest and most enjoyable films of this year.

Segregation looms in the background of "A Raisin in the Sun." It is a silent, almost-invisible menace until its restrictions are challenged. Then it reveals itself as a smiling, soft-spoken white man with a briefcase. This is the external conflict the Younger family must eventually face as they attempt to move upward and outward in society, but the greater part of the film examines rifts within the Younger household itself. Each member of the family has his or her own values and aspirations that arise in part from their differences in age, gender, and education level, and the genius of the script is its ability to show these differences without taking sides. Characters clash over still- controversial topics such as atheism and abortion, making the film strikingly relevant over half a century later.

Just watched the 2008 version before i watch this. One thing i can say is, which is a very clear difference, is that i am glad the 2008 version is adapted accordingly because i find this original less realistic in certain scenes.Perhaps that is because this movie is made to be like the play itself, using just the house as a constant setting throughout. But that would mean inevitable compromise for realistic-ness in terms of making a movie version of the play. The 2008 version successfully correct many parts involving these weaknesses in the original to make the overall plot make more sense. Anyway, I am sure that a movie of this calibre during the 60's is a hard to find classic even among its competitors.Though, I would comment positively on the overall acting in this movie. It is stronger than the 2008 version in general (except for the Nigerian bf and the mother and other sub-characters)

A substantial insurance payment could mean either financial salvation or personal ruin for a poor black family. A colored man wants to be somebody but feels that the colored woman (his wife) is bringing him down.The film is an interesting exploration of race and class. On the one hand it features an all-black cast, which is a notable achievement for 1961. Yet, at the same time, it shows the plight of the black woman -- even the black man, who feels oppressed, pushes the women in his life down rather than raise them up.There should only be one feeling between men and women, but this belief is because all the women in novels have been written by men.The Nigerian, who speaks fluent English, tries to pick up a young American woman, calling her "one for whom bread is not enough". He raises the interesting point that languages do not translate well, but his fluent English clearly suggests he is a man who knows the sense of his words.

In continuing to review African-Americans in film in chronological order for Black History Month, we're now at 1961 when Lorraine Hansberry's compelling play-"A Raisin in the Sun"-is adapted by her for the big screen with much of the cast-Sidney Poitier, Ruby Dee, Diana Sands, Ivan Dixon, Louis Gossett Jr., Claudia McNeil, and John Fiedler-reprising their roles. Having seen this before in the late '80s, not to mention the recent 2008 TV movie version starring Felicia Rashad and Sean Combs, this version has lost none of its power. Poitier has never shown greater range in his profession than here and Ms. McNeil is a great tower of strength as the matriarch of the household. And Ms. Dee and Ms. Sands add their own worthy contributions to the material. And Fiedler, as the only Caucasian in the cast, brings his own reluctant characterization to the proceedings. It's also nice to see such supporting performances as those of Dixon, Gossett, and Joel Fluellen add to the overall atmosphere. So on that note, this version of A Raisin in the Sun comes highly recommended. P.S. Other people of color that appeared here: Roy Glenn as Willie Harris, Ray Stubbs as a bartender, and Stephen Perry as the child Travis Younger.