A Raisin in the Sun (TV 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.

---

Plot Keywords:

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

---

Genres:

Drama

---

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.

---

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.

---

Quotes

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

---

Connections

Version of American Playhouse: A Raisin in the Sun (1989)

User Reviews

Still Worth Watching!

Lorraine Hansberry's play is forever being produced whether on stage in it's original drama or in a musical. A Raisin in the Sun is a theatrical classic. It stars Sean Combs in the leading male role that Sidney Poitier immortalized in the film with Ruby Dee. In this version, Phylicia Rashad plays the family matriarch and Audra McDonald plays Ruby Dee's character. Those two performances are stellar and they both won Tony Awards for their performances on Broadway. The television film version is equally worth watching but it's too long at times. John Stamos plays the man who wants them not to move into their neighborhood. The film version is for today's audiences but it's too long despite it being faithful to the original.