Sister, Sister (TV 1982)

Maya Angelou's story of the family stresses that occur when an older sister (Diahann Carroll) attempts to maintain a home, left by her revered father, in an ultra-moralistic way (regardless... See full summary »

Director:

John Berry

Writer:

Maya Angelou

Stars:

Diahann Carroll, Rosalind Cash, Irene Cara

2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Diahann Carroll	...	Carolyne Lovejoy
Rosalind Cash	...	Freida Lovejoy Burton
Irene Cara	...	Sissy Lovejoy
Paul Winfield	...	Eddie Craven
Dick Anthony Williams	...	Reverend Richard Henderson
Robert Hooks	...	Harry Burton
Diana Douglas	...	Rhoda
E. Lamont Johnson	...	Tommy (as Lamont Johnson)
Kristoff St. John	...	Danny Burton
Albert Popwell	...	The Drunk
Frances E. Williams	...	Mother Bishop
Alvin Childress	...	Mister Jacobs
Gloria Edwards	...	Mrs. Henderson

Storyline

Maya Angelou's story of the family stresses that occur when an older sister (Diahann Carroll) attempts to maintain a home, left by her revered father, in an ultra-moralistic way (regardless of the fact that she is secretly having an affair with the married preacher). Nevertheless, her uptight need to maintain a sense of propriety of course goes against the wishes of her much younger sister (Irene Cara) who, as an accomplished ice skater, is striving for her own independence. And if this isn't enough, into it is suddenly thrust a third sister (Rosalind Cash), who is a single mother with a pre-teen son, who "comes home" with her boy after living for years in the ghettos of Detroit. And because she is the complete antithesis of her older sister in morals and deportment, she immediately sides with her younger sister against the strictures set down in the home.

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Plot Keywords:

single mother | ice skater | affair | repetition in title | sister sister relationship | 

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Genres:

Drama | Family

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 June 1982 (USA)

Also Known As:

Encontro de Família

Filming Locations:

Montgomery, Alabama, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 98 min (FMC Library Print)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Filmed in 1979, but not aired until 1982.

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Quotes

Freida Lovejoy Burton: [all three coming down the stairs] I thought it would be good for Danny, but he hates it.
Carolyne Lovejoy: He hasn't even given it a chance.
Freida Lovejoy Burton: Now Caroline, I Know my son. He's been on his best behavior. He thinks you don't like him. It's awful to grow up in a house where you're disliked.
Sissy Lovejoy: Don't I know it.
Carolyne Lovejoy: What do you mean by that?
Sissy Lovejoy: You never liked me.
Carolyne Lovejoy: I raised you, Sissy. Do you remember what Papa always used to say?
Sissy Lovejoy: What?
Carolyne Lovejoy: There's nothing more important in a family of nations than the love and care of your own ...
[...]

User Reviews

Intelligent telling of a common family circumstance.

Maya Angelou's story of the family stresses that occur when an older sister (Diahann Carroll) attempts to maintain a home, left by her revered father, in an ultra-moralistic way (regardless of the fact that she is secretly having an affair with the married preacher). Nevertheless, her uptight need to maintain a sense of propriety of course goes against the wishes of her much younger sister (Irene Cara) who, as an accomplished ice skater, is striving for her own independence. And if this isn't enough, into it is suddenly thrust a third sister (Rosalind Cash), who is a single mother with a pre-teen son, who "comes home" with her boy after living for years in the ghettos of Detroit. And because she is the complete antithesis of her older sister in morals and deportment, immediately she sides with her younger sister against the strictures set down in the home. And although the conflicts can be anticipated, the level of the dialogue and the intensity of the characters which Ms. Angelou has built into her story is well worth the price of the ticket. My only regret is that the ending is much too Disney-like unbelievable, and out of character which, I feel, could have been much stronger if there hadn't been such a need for a "happy ending" resolution.