A Raisin in the Sun (TV movie)

Infobox Television Film
name = A Raisin in the Sun


caption = Poster
format = Drama
runtime = 131 minutes
180 minutes (with commercials)
creator =
director = Kenny Leon
producer = Sean Combs
Craig Zadan
Neil Meron
writer = Paris Qualles
Based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry
starring = Sean Combs
Phylicia Rashad
Audra McDonald
Sanaa Lathan
John Stamos
music = Mervyn Warren
country = United States
language = English
network = ABC
released = February 25, 2008
preceded_by = "A Raisin in the Sun"
website = http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/araisininthesun/
imdb_id = 0808435

"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. ["The Chart," "Entertainment Weekly", March 14, 2008]

Plot synopsis

Set in the 1950s, the story focuses on the Youngers, an African American family living on Chicago's South Side. They're anticipating an insurance check in the amount of $10,000, and each of them has an idea as to what he or she would like to do with this money. Matriarch Lena wants to buy a house to fulfill the dream she shared with her deceased husband. Walter Lee would rather use the money to invest in a liquor store, believing the income would put an end to the family’s financial woes. His wife Ruth, wanting to provide more space and better opportunities for their son Travis, agrees with Lena. Beneatha would like to use the money to pay her medical school tuition.

Ruth discovers she is pregnant and, fearing another child will add to the financial pressures, considers having an abortion, a suggestion to which Walter voices no objection. Lena puts a down payment on a house in Clybourne Park, an entirely white section of the city. When their future neighbors find out the Youngers are moving in, they send Karl Lindner from the Clybourne Park Improvement Association to offer the Youngers money in return for staying away, but they refuse the deal. Meanwhile, Walter has lost the balance of the insurance payment to his friend, who took the cash to invest in the liquor store and then absconded with the funds.

Beneatha rejects her suitor George, believing he's blind to the problems of their race. She receives a marriage proposal from Nigerian Joseph Asagai, who wants her to complete her medical studies and return to Africa with him. The Youngers eventually move out of their apartment, fulfilling their dream. The future seems uncertain and slightly dangerous, but they believe that they can succeed through optimism, determination, and remaining together as a family.

Production notes

The title was inspired by poet Langston Hughes' reflection that a deferred dream dries up like a raisin in the sun.

Sean Combs, Audra McDonald, Phylicia Rashad, and Sanaa Lathan reprised the roles they played in the 2004 Broadway revival, which also was directed by Kenny Leon. It ran at the Royale Theatre for 31 previews and 89 performances. McDonald and Rashad won both the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for their performances, and Lathan was honored with the Theatre World Award.

Cast

*Sean Combs ..... Walter Lee Younger
*Audra McDonald ..... Ruth Younger
*Phylicia Rashad ..... Lena Younger
*Sanaa Lathan ..... Beneatha Younger
*Justin Martin ..... Travis Younger
*John Stamos ..... Karl Lindner
*Sean Patrick Thomas ..... George Murchison
*David Oyelowo ..... Joseph Asagai
*Bill Nunn ..... Bobo

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." [ [http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=festivals&jump=review&id=2471&reviewid=VE1117935988&cs=1 "Variety" review] ]

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." [ [http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film/reviews/article_display.jsp?JSESSIONID=LPqKHkSGLmyQy1TWCr9TDnfwNfGyl4XDwYTQDtfQSr2v2FbYy7vv!-7184459&&rid=10583 "The Hollywood Reporter" review] ]

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." [ [http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120363708783684237.html?mod=googlenews_wsj "Wall Street Journal" review] ]

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." [ [http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_8318998 "Denver Post" review] ]

In "Entertainment Weekly", Ken Tucker rated the production B+ and called it "a model of subtle adaptation." [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20179377,00.html "Entertainment Weekly" review] ]

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

External links

* [http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/araisininthesun/ Official website]
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