Rating: 
Summary: A dream deferred
Review: In Lorraine Hansberry's masterpiece, A Raisin in the Sun, we are shown a world-wide crisis with which we deal with to this day: the importance of our reality and our dreams. Walter Lee Younger's father, who in the plot has recently deceased, left his family an insurance policy worth $10,000 (which is approximately worth $60,000 or $70,000 in today's monitary value). Despite their sorrow, they are ecstatic because they can all now make something of their lives. Unfortunately, they all have big plans with the money and, once again unfortunate, it involves the majority of the amount. Walter Lee wants to start a business with two friends and make a promising future for his son, Travis; Beneatha Younger, his sister, needs money to pay for her medical school; Lena Younger, his mother, has always wanted a house with a backyard so her grandson, Travis, can play; and his wife, Ruth Younger, desperately wants to move out of the "hole" they currently live in. Lena takes it upon herself to go out and put a down payment on a house in a completely white neighborhood. Walter Lee is then dumbfounded. After many drunken incidents and pleadings, Walter Lee convinces his mother, Lena, to give the money to him so that he can start being the man of the family. After not following his mother's strict orders to place some of that money to pay for Beneatha's education, the money is all gone in one bad investment. Without giving away the complexity of the ending, you can imagine what happens to his self-esteem and his likeness in the house. There are multiple interpretations on a specific meaning to the story, but one that is perhaps impartial in criticism, would be that having a dream is what keeps us striving for the next best thing in our lives. As mentioned in the movie in reference to judgment, "Make sure you done take into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is." It's in that part of the play the idea of the story is exhibited. Truly a great play, both in text and on film. However, there are slight differences in the text as compared to the film. These differences are very minor and do not effect the story, or the idea of the story, in any way. Recommended as a leisure film or for analysis.
Rating:
Summary: A dream deferred
Review: In Lorraine Hansberry's masterpiece, A Raisin in the Sun, we are shown a world-wide crisis with which we deal with to this day: the importance of our reality and our dreams. Walter Lee Younger's father, who in the plot has recently deceased, left his family an insurance policy worth $10,000 (which is approximately worth $60,000 or $70,000 in today's monitary value). Despite their sorrow, they are ecstatic because they can all now make something of their lives. Unfortunately, they all have big plans with the money and, once again unfortunate, it involves the majority of the amount. Walter Lee wants to start a business with two friends and make a promising future for his son, Travis; Beneatha Younger, his sister, needs money to pay for her medical school; Lena Younger, his mother, has always wanted a house with a backyard so her grandson, Travis, can play; and his wife, Ruth Younger, desperately wants to move out of the "hole" they currently live in. Lena takes it upon herself to go out and put a down payment on a house in a completely white neighborhood. Walter Lee is then dumbfounded. After many drunken incidents and pleadings, Walter Lee convinces his mother, Lena, to give the money to him so that he can start being the man of the family. After not following his mother's strict orders to place some of that money to pay for Beneatha's education, the money is all gone in one bad investment. Without giving away the complexity of the ending, you can imagine what happens to his self-esteem and his likeness in the house. There are multiple interpretations on a specific meaning to the story, but one that is perhaps impartial in criticism, would be that having a dream is what keeps us striving for the next best thing in our lives. As mentioned in the movie in reference to judgment, "Make sure you done take into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is." It's in that part of the play the idea of the story is exhibited. Truly a great play, both in text and on film. However, there are slight differences in the text as compared to the film. These differences are very minor and do not effect the story, or the idea of the story, in any way. Recommended as a leisure film or for analysis.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent family value guideline
Review: It's old no doubt about that, howerver if you compaire the modern "dazzling" special effect, fast paste.... films of today that always try to catch you at the end... most of them are very disapointing. One thing about old time movies... is the general flow... and this one got it.... it kept your interest all the way to the end. It is a family orientation movie and it message is very important, because in our modern time most of us had lost it! So for that reason, when I read the above critics I ran to the store and bought two Sidney poirier films, the other one is Butch and the Preacher (didn't see it yet).If anyone doesn't understand the meening of good family's values, this is an excellent guideline!
Rating:
Summary: A Masterpiece!
Review: Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun" is one of the most important plays in the history of American Theater. The film adaptation is a wonderful way to appreciate the original theatrical production. It is well staged and superbly acted. The director get out of the way and allows you to be engaged directly with the story. I give it my highest reccomendation.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful
Review: Sidney Poiter's portrayal as Walter Lee was phenomenal! Poiter captured the very essence of what it is to be a African American man hungry for a dream. It is interesting in the story and in the general plot how with his father's insurance money how he can began to start his dream. He continues to plot and envision with his buddies as to how he will take hold of something finally and create with his own mind what is and what ought to be. Later he is seen as a fragmented man, dried out at the bones for what seems a vision loss. It is amazing how Lorraine Hansberry captivates the audience with the highs and the lows of all the characters. The bodacious younger sister who is captivated by everything that ever was; knowledge during this time meaningful of influence and power. The divisions of the haves and simply the have nots. The strivings for the mother to make a better life for herself and her two grown children is imperative. Either way the development of the story carries the viewer from glory to glory. Walter Lee 's dream looms as big as life, and you can almost hear yourself deflate as his dream goes looming by. It is captivating to see the family still overcome such a difficult blow by still remembering what matters the most -- each other. This movie can be critique a million different ways and I suppose I will be reviewing it again and again. An African American man with a vision, a dream, a goal accomplished and fulfilled is a beautiful thing. One can strive towards essentially everything but as a people we know that being mediocre is not allowed. To be the best at whatever he wanted to be was Walter Lee's desire. . . For the most crucial thing of all for any man is to stand up and be just that a man. Regardless, as to the choices one makes in getting there the power of accomplishing just that gives one the UMPH to survive after having reached whatever star or attained whatever vision. I think that Lorraine Hansbury's insight into a very significant scenario still exists today. The very ideal that Walter Lee had a dream of becoming in terms of society's idea of somebody still looms today in the hearts and minds of many men. The mere fact that he wanted a better string of pearls for his wife is indeed a fact that he reckoned with the "quality of his life" everyday.
Rating:
Summary: A STRONG BLACK FAMILY
Review: Sidney Poitier&Crew Give a Classic Performance here.Despite all the hardships being faced Sidney&His Family are Together as one.that's the magic of this Film.Very Essential&Touching.Very Powerful.
Rating:
Summary: A deeply affecting movie
Review: The <i>Hollywood Citizen-News</i> dubbed this "One of the most powerful films to grace the 1961 screen." I'd say that time has proven this to be one of the most powerful films to hit the screen in any year. The character Walter Lee is a man driven to the edge of insanity by the prospect of seeing his dream slip right through his fingers. A dream that he thinks is his only way up. Sidney Poitier, who is <i>the</i> finest, most natural actor I have ever seen, plays this part flawlessly. Ruby Dee, Diane Sands, and Claudia McNeil also strike stunning, emotional performances as the family members dealing with not only Walter Lee's downward spiral, but also with their own issues and inner turmoil. In keeping with its origins, the cinematography of the movie retains many aspects of a play, and is thus unlike modern movies that cater to the growing attention deficit of our society. However, the content and fine performances will capture your attention, regardless of what you are now used to seeing. The turmoil will be familiar to many people. The conflicts brought up here are classic social conditions experienced by many different types of people all around the world... whether it is due to skin color, religion, money or other class distinction. For this reason, I feel this movie will strike a cord with people from many different backgrounds. The quality of the DVD is superb. I noticed no degradation of the picture or sound quality. There are subtitle options for English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai. The movie's 1961 preview, which is one of the extras, begins with a "Message to Moviegoers" by the producer, David Susskind. I would like to quote his words, because they do ring absolutely true of this movie:
"Here is entertainment which is rare and unique... [W]hen you see this picture you will live it. After you leave the theatre, you will talk about it, and for a long time afterward you will remember <i>A Raisin in the Sun</i>."
[Submitted 5-6-03, edited 5-20-03]
Rating:
Summary: A deeply affecting movie
Review: The Hollywood Citizen-News dubbed this "One of the most powerful films to grace the 1961 screen." I'd say that time has proven this to be one of the most powerful films to hit the screen in any year. The character Walter Lee is a man driven to the edge of insanity by the prospect of seeing his dream slip right through his fingers. A dream that he thinks is his only way up. Sidney Poitier, who is the finest, most natural actor I have ever seen, plays this part flawlessly. Ruby Dee, Diane Sands, and Claudia McNeil also strike stunning, emotional performances as the family members dealing with not only Walter Lee's downward spiral, but also with their own issues and inner turmoil. In keeping with its origins, the cinematography of the movie retains many aspects of a play, and is thus unlike modern movies that cater to the growing attention deficit of our society. However, the content and fine performances will capture your attention, regardless of what you are now used to seeing. The turmoil will be familiar to many people. The conflicts brought up here are classic social conditions experienced by many different types of people all around the world... whether it is due to skin color, religion, money or other class distinction. For this reason, I feel this movie will strike a cord with people from many different backgrounds. The quality of the DVD is superb. I noticed no degradation of the picture or sound quality. There are subtitle options for English, Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, Korean, and Thai. The movie's 1961 preview, which is one of the extras, begins with a "Message to Moviegoers" by the producer, David Susskind. I would like to quote his words, because they do ring absolutely true of this movie:
"Here is entertainment which is rare and unique... [W]hen you see this picture you will live it. After you leave the theatre, you will talk about it, and for a long time afterward you will remember A Raisin in the Sun."
[Submitted 5-6-03, edited 5-20-03]
Rating: 
Summary: Great movie!!!!
Review: The movie was well written and quitetouching, without being sappy. If you seen Soul Food and liked that you will definetely like this movie. The acting was superb!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: The Best!
Review: The writing was wonderful...the acting - fantastic - the story - touching beyond words. This movie is a must for all humans - black, white, whatever! I've seen this countless times and it never fails to move me. Rent it, buy it...but WATCH it and watch it over again if necessary. Have plenty of tissues towards the end - you'll need it. Enjoy all!
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