A Raisin in the Sun (2008 film)
| A Raisin in the Sun | |
|---|---|
 Poster |
|
| Genre | Drama |
| Running time | 131 minutes 180 minutes (with commercials) |
| Written by | Paris Qualles Based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry |
| Directed by | Kenny Leon |
| Produced by | Sean Combs Craig Zadan Neil Meron |
| Starring | Sean Combs Phylicia Rashad Audra McDonald Sanaa Lathan John Stamos |
| Music by | Mervyn Warren |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Language | English |
| Original channel | ABC |
| Release date(s) | February 25, 2008 |
| Preceded by | A Raisin in the Sun |
| Official website | |
| IMDb profile | |
A Raisin in the Sun is a 2008 television movie directed by Kenny Leon. The teleplay by Paris Qualles is based on the award-winning 1959 play of the same name by Lorraine Hansberry. The film debuted at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival and was broadcast by ABC on February 25, 2008. According to Nielsen Media Research, the program was watched by 12.7 million viewers and ranked #9 in the ratings for the week ending March 2, 2008.[1]
Contents |
Critical reception
In his review in Variety, Dennis Harvey said, "Strong performances and a brisk pace downplay the original script's more dated, preachy aspects . . . No one will mistake this well-produced but inevitably dialogue-driven piece for pure cinema, but Leon and adapter Paris Qualles open up the play just enough to avoid the usual stage-to-screen claustrophobia. Mervyn Warren's score is a bit more earnest and old-fashioned than would be ideal for this essentially faithful yet refreshed take on a dramatic golden oldie." [2]
James Greenberg of The Hollywood Reporter said, "A Raisin in the Sun never totally transcends its origins on the stage and it's a long way from cutting edge cinema. But those who can relax into the leisurely pace and lush language will be rewarded with an earnest and moving night at the movies . . . As he did on stage, Leon gets the most out of his actors and with Hansberry's words, that's what carries the film. Rashad beautifully captures the wounded pride and hopes of the older generation, while the rapper and music entrepreneur Combs holds his own in his first major movie role. Balanced between her mother-in-law's idealism and her husband's pragmatism is Walter's wife Ruth, who may be getting the worst of both worlds. MacDonald gives the role a heartbreaking dimension." [3]
In the Wall Street Journal, Dorothy Rabinowitz observed the three-hour production "flies by with lightning speed - and that cast led by Ms. Rashad, superbly authoritative, impossibly attractive as Lena, is no small part of the reason. Ms. McDonald is heartbreaking as Ruth, desperate to understand her husband's descent into misery, and Mr. Combs, who portrays that husband, delivers a sterling performance." [4]
Joanne Ostrow of the Denver Post said, "Overall, this Raisin is a proud, important addition to the history of stage adaptations for TV, one that could touch many more millions of people than ever saw the play, thanks both to its star power and the reach of the medium." [5]
In Entertainment Weekly, Ken Tucker rated the production B+ and called it "a model of subtle adaptation." [6]
Awards and nominations
The film was nominated for the Emmy Award for Outstanding Made For Television Movie but lost to Recount. Phylicia Rashad was nominated Outstanding Lead Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie but lost to Laura Linney for John Adams. Audra McDonald was nominated Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Miniseries Or A Movie but lost to Eileen Atkins for Cranford.
References
- ^ "The Chart," Entertainment Weekly, March 14, 2008
- ^ Variety review
- ^ The Hollywood Reporter review
- ^ Wall Street Journal review
- ^ Denver Post review
- ^ Entertainment Weekly review
External links
Why are we here?
All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License
This page is cache of Wikipedia. History