A Raisin in the Sun

Sidney Poitier as Walter Lee is the "giant...surrounded by ants" as he dreams of escaping his job as a chauffeur and investing in a liquor store. Poitier's body language and subtle gestures as he argues about how to spend his mother's ten thousand dollar life insurance check powerfully convey his anguish. The close-up of Poitier's slow transition from an insolent and angry young man to a tearful and repentant son in one scene with his mother is unforgettable. Claudia McNeil, as the mother, is stalwart, strong, and full of pride. Ruby Dee, as the devoted wife, trying to decide whether to have an abortion in order to lighten her husband's load, is simultaneously resolute and resigned. Diana Sands, as Beneatha, the agnostic medical student, reflecting the beginning of the "Roots" and "Black Power" movements, provides some comic relief as she practices African "home-from-the-hunt" dances.

At the heart of the play is the issue of discrimination against black people and the limitations on their dreams, and the filming in black and white is appropriate. The small dying houseplant that Lena nurtures remains the major symbol here, as it is in the play, but through the cinematography new symbols emerge. The kitchen cupboard door opens and shuts as family members open and shut themselves to each other and the outside world, and numerous scenes take place between two people with a door in the background, opening and closing as their emotions change. The film quality and its high contrast have withstood the test of time, the sound is good, and the acting, especially as revealed in the close-ups, makes this a classic film, better than any stage version I have ever seen or imagined. Mary Whipple

Walter Lee Younger's father, who in the plot has recently deceased, left his family an insurance policy worth $10,000 (which is approximately worth $60,000 or $70,000 in today's monitary value). Despite their sorrow, they are ecstatic because they can all now make something of their lives. Unfortunately, they all have big plans with the money and, once again unfortunate, it involves the majority of the amount.

Walter Lee wants to start a business with two friends and make a promising future for his son, Travis; Beneatha Younger, his sister, needs money to pay for her medical school; Lena Younger, his mother, has always wanted a house with a backyard so her grandson, Travis, can play; and his wife, Ruth Younger, desperately wants to move out of the "hole" they currently live in.

Lena takes it upon herself to go out and put a down payment on a house in a completely white neighborhood. Walter Lee is then dumbfounded. After many drunken incidents and pleadings, Walter Lee convinces his mother, Lena, to give the money to him so that he can start being the man of the family. After not following his mother's strict orders to place some of that money to pay for Beneatha's education, the money is all gone in one bad investment.

Without giving away the complexity of the ending, you can imagine what happens to his self-esteem and his likeness in the house. There are multiple interpretations on a specific meaning to the story, but one that is perhaps impartial in criticism, would be that having a dream is what keeps us striving for the next best thing in our lives.

As mentioned in the movie in reference to judgment, "Make sure you done take into account what hills and valleys he come through before he got to wherever he is." It's in that part of the play the idea of the story is exhibited.

Truly a great play, both in text and on film. However, there are slight differences in the text as compared to the film. These differences are very minor and do not effect the story, or the idea of the story, in any way. Recommended as a leisure film or for analysis.