frankwiener Thanks to an electrifying script by Lorraine Hansberry and a very talented cast that so forcefully brings it to life, this is one stage play that triumphs on the wide screen where so many others have fallen flat. Other than a few scenes in a dismal bar called the "Kitty Kat", the entire film is shot in a small Chicago apartment that doesn't even have a private bathroom. The movie thrives on the writing and the acting alone. It's a remarkable cinematic accomplishment that does not fade at all with time. All of the performances are superb, especially those of Claudia McNeil as the strong family matriarch who questions the results of her years as a devoted, dedicated parent during hard times and Diana Sands as her rebellious, intellectual daughter who dares to defy the status quo and to experiment with unconventionality. Although this play is most definitely about race, specifically about being black in urban America at the time, flying in the face of conformity during those times took a special brand of courage and strength, regardless of one's race. I know this from personal experience. Beneatha Younger was tough, but she still had to mind her even tougher mother, as long as she remained in her house. The tense conflict of strong will proceeds from there.Sidney Poitier is a fine actor, but I found the restless, frustrated character of Walter Lee Younger exasperating and even annoying. Instead of foolishly losing most of his father's life insurance death benefit, he could have used even a small part of the proceeds wisely, such as learning a new trade. This was very painful and heartbreaking to witness.The playwright Lorraine Hansberry tragically passed away at the very young age of 34 only four short years after her exceptional play was successfully produced as this film. I would love to see more of what Ms. Hansberry might have created on that old Remington. What a loss.

grantss The Younger family are a working class black family with three generations, five people, living in a cramped apartment. However, it appears their fortunes are about to change as grandmother Younger is about to receive a large insurance payout. However, there is considerable disagreement within the household on how the money will be spent, resulting in friction within the Younger family.Powerful and profound, but takes forever to make its point - overwrought and unnecessarily protracted. The ultimate theme is very admirable, and very necessary, especially in the 1960s. Well set up too, in getting to the punchline.Too well set up. You have to wait for about 90 minutes for anything like a degree of focus or for a payoff for everything that came before. Until then the movie seemed to drift.Worst of all, the dialogue is incredibly padded. The writer's reasoning seemed to be - why use 10 words when 100 will do? Every bit of dialogue is long-winded and feels like a speech, enough to make even Shakespeare seem succinct. So many times I caught myself thinking "Geez, just get to the point!".Some brevity and this would have been a superb movie. Instead it is a bit of an ordeal, with a good payoff at the end.

elliottyoung I know that he eventually won for "Lilies of the Field", but I feel it's conceivable that the Academy may have rewarded him the Oscar as compensation for past works he did that genuinely deserved recognition. Films like "The Defiant Ones" and THIS MASTERPIECE were both Oscar worthy, but in those days, needless to say, giving a black man the Oscar wasn't something people JUST DID. To this day, we have problems with diversity at the Oscars, BUT LET ME GET TO MY REAL POINT. This movie is well-acted all across the board! Everyone in this film did beyond great. You could actually feel the pain and frustration of every character; especially Sidney's character Walter Lee. If not already, this film needs to be reserved in the Library of Congress. Not only is it that good, but it's so relevant to American history. If you love classic dramas, this is one for the ages. See it!!!!!

sonya90028 A Raisin In The Sun, is an absolute gem of a film. The plot revolves around a black family's determined fight, to escape poverty. The Younger family is headed by stalwart Matriarch, Lena Younger. Lena shares her run-down tenement apartment in Chicago, with her son Walter, his wife Ruth, their son Travis, and Lena's daughter Beneatha.After her husband dies, Lena is entitled to receive a tidy sum of insurance money, that her husband had willed to her. The rest of the family, also eagerly awaits the arrival of Lena's insurance check. Especially Walter, who wants Lena to use some of the money, to help him start his own liquor store. Lena decides to use some of her insurance money, to buy a modest home in an all-white neighborhood, and to donate the rest of it, to her local church. Walter is crushed by Lena's decision. Lena later decides to give Walter some of the money, to give him a chance to realize his dream of owning a business. But Lena soon regrets her decision to give money to Walter, after he loses it, because of his crooked business partner. Lena and her family, must also decide if they really want to move into a white neighborhood. Especially after white homeowners there, try to offer the Youngers lots of money, if they agree not to move into the neighborhood. The entire cast of this film, is positively magnificent. Especially Sydney Poitier as Walter Younger. Sydney conveys Walter's anguish, with an amazing depth and clarity. This is Sydney's best film, and a must-see for his serious fans. Claudia McNeil is perfect in her role, as the strong-willed Lena Younger, who acts as the Younger family's moral compass.This powerful, moving film, is unforgettable. And I highly recommend it, to anyone who loves classic American drama films.