A Raisin In The Sun (2008/Telefilm/Sony DVD)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Telefilm: C
The third
time is not the charm of the latest adaptation of Loraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, a 2008 production
that oddly co-casts rapper Sean Combs and Phylicia Rashad in this long and
trying version of the classic about an African American family in the 1950s who
inherits life insurance money, but does not know how to best use it.
The
acting is decent, but this never feels like the 1950s, the directing by Kenny
Leon and teleplay by Paris Qualles is as uneven as the lead casting. Sanaa Lathan, Bill Nunn, Audra McDonald and
even John Stamos make for an interesting cast for sure, but this just never
feels real, natural or has a good flow to it.
All obviously intended to do right by the material, but it is an overall
disappointment.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image is soft, color is dull even if they are
trying to be nostalgic and has some motion blur. The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix tries to boost the
TV audio, but between that and the fact that this is not a loud time or place,
surrounds are limited. Extras include
audio commentary by Leon and a making of featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
