In a cramped apartment on the south side of Chicago lives a black family consisting of a matron, her daughter and son, and his wife and young child. When the patriarch passes away, his widow receives a $10,000 check from the life insurance company. Now, all members of the family have different ideas as to how the money should be spent, and what results in this socially conscious drama will say a lot on race and sex in America, not just in 1961 but also today. Lorraine Hansberry's play, which she adapted for the screen where it was directed by Daniel Petrie, is a powerful and intelligently written discourse on African-American life. It features a wonderful and angry performance from Sidney Poitier as the fed up and impulsive Walter Jr. Also delivering fine performances are Claudia McNeil and the stalwart matron and Ruby Dee as Walter's wife. A Raisin in the Sun is a fine film on several levels: as a play adaptation, for its performances, and as a statement on the state of racial affairs in this country.
