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Native Son (1986)
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Overview
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Release Date:
12 December 1986 (USA)
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Plot:
In 1940s Chicago, a young black man takes a job as a chauffeur to a white family, which takes a turn for the worse when he accidentally kills the teenage daughter of the couple and then tries to cover it up. full summary | add synopsis
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Awards:
2 nominations
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NewsDesk:
American Century Revives Native Son 4/14 At Gunston Center
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 25 March 2009, 10:28 AM, PDT)
(From BroadwayWorld.com. 25 March 2009, 10:28 AM, PDT)
User Comments:
Raises many important issues.
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Cast
(Cast overview, first billed only) | Victor Love | ... | Bigger Thomas |
 | Matt Dillon | ... | Jan |
 | Elizabeth McGovern | ... | Mary Dalton |
 | Geraldine Page | ... | Peggy |
 | Oprah Winfrey | ... | Mrs. Thomas |
 | Akosua Busia | ... | Bessie |
 | Carroll Baker | ... | Mrs. Dalton |
| John McMartin | ... | Mr. Dalton |
| Art Evans | ... | Doc |
| John Karlen | ... | Max |
 | Willard E. Pugh | ... | Gus |
 | David Rasche | ... | Buckley |
 | Ving Rhames | ... | Jack |
| Walter Rivers | ... | G.H. |
 | Shavar Ross | ... | Buddy |
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111 min
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Features My Man Godfrey (1936)
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This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.more (7 total)
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This was a good film. It had some flaws, but was well worth a viewing. It takes on many issues which most current films gloss over or ignore entirely.
This is the second film of "Native Son," a Richard Wright book about a young black man who gets caught up in some tragic events in 1940's Chicago. Bigger Thomas, the young protagonist, goes to work for a wealthy white family after some prodding from his mother, played by Oprah Winfrey. He is drawn into the aforementioned events by the family's young and slightly wild daughter, played by Elizabeth McGovern.
There are several good scenes where the tension and a sense of claustrophobia is palpable. A scene near the end in a police station, in which all the main characters convene around Bigger, is effective but problematic. This scene is overwrought and unrealistic - there is no way all those people would be in the same room at once.
"Native Son" delves into the issues of racism, poverty and integration. It doesn't have easy answers for the audience, but rather leaves the questions out there for the viewer to ponder.