A Raisin in the Sun (2008)

An African-American family struggles with poverty, racism, and inner conflict as they strive for a better way of life. Based on the play by Lorraine Hansberry.

Director:

Kenny Leon

Writers:

Paris Qualles (teleplay), Lorraine Hansberry (play)

Stars:

Sean Combs, Sanaa Lathan, Audra McDonald

Nominated for 1 Golden Globe. Another 5 wins & 14 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sean Combs	...	Walter Lee Younger
Sanaa Lathan	...	Beneatha Younger
Audra McDonald	...	Ruth Younger
Phylicia Rashad	...	Lena Younger
Justin Martin	...	Travis Younger
Bill Nunn	...	Bobo
David Oyelowo	...	Joseph Asagai
Ron C. Jones	...	Willy Harris
Sean Patrick Thomas	...	George Murchison
John Stamos	...	Carl Lindner
Sandi Ross	...	Earline Johnson
Rudy Webb	...	Mr Johnson
Martin Roach	...	Walter Lee Sr
Rosemary Dunsmore	...	Mrs. Arnold
Paul Stephen	...	Mr. Arnold

Storyline

After moving to Chicago's South Side in the 1950s, a black family struggles to deal with poverty, racism, and inner conflict as they strive for a better life. Adapted for the screen from Lorraine Hansberry's play, this is a moving portrait of dreams deferred.

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Plot Keywords:

african american | money | brother sister relationship | working class family | title based on poem | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG-13

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 February 2008 (USA)

Also Known As:

A raisin in the sun - Un Grappolo di Sole

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sony Pictures Television, Storyline Entertainment, Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group

Technical Specs

Runtime:

131 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Broadway production of "A Raisin in the Sun" by Lorraine Hansberry opened at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York on March 11, 1959, ran for 530 performances and was nominated for the 1960 Tony Award (New York City) for the Best Play.

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Goofs

When they are packing up the apartment, Momma is working on putting sticks around a small plant to protect it to wrap it. The number and location of the sticks are not in sync with the timing.

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Quotes

Asagai: There is something wrong when all the dreams of a household depend on a man dying.

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Connections

Version of A Raisin in the Sun (1961)

User Reviews

Heartfelt and Superb!

I can honestly say I enjoyed this movie, I enjoyed the 1984(?) version with Danny Glover and was hoping to catch a treat with this film. A treat a received greatly.

Yes this film had many flaws, as does every movie. So I shall give the flaws then the bright side of the film Flaws: I was bored the first half of the film, it moved in a little slow, and Sean Combs performance didn't help. I felt that the cast excluding Sean Combs was superb and was full of real emotion and strength. Combs was trying to hard to act, when he should have let it flow and have a real feeling for the character and not just try to over act. He does have his moments though, but those moment are quickly cut back to his not letting it flow and not having a true feeling for the character.

Bright Side: The film was a delight. Raw emotion and strength from the leading ladies and the leading men(excluding Sean Combs). Phylicia Rashad was full of emotion and pride, that you instantly love her and feel for her and the pain she goes through. Audra McDonald is superb and excellent actress who is going somewhere, you also feel for her and go through struggles and emotion. Beneatha Younger (Sanaa Lathan) is spunky, yet naive. You love her and many of my young generation can relate to her.

Overall: The acting is brilliant coming from the cast, again excluding Sean Combs yet he does have moments. Direction is great, and the feel and emotion and strength is just excellent 8/10 -Izzy