A Raisin in the Sun (1961) - NR

Lorraine Hansberry adapted her own award-winning play of the same name in completing the screenplay for this 1961 movie. A Raisin in the Sun portrays the struggles of a family living together in a tiny apartment. Sidney Poitier plays Walter Lee Younger, who's trying desperately to be a financially-stable head of his household and whose mother lives in their home. An unexpected financial windfall gives the family an opportunity to do something with the money and stabilize their situation. There is great debate and consternation over how best to use the money. The film is black and white and has a feel of an adapted play - i.e., few settings and heavy on dialogue. It is also 40 years old, but it still speaks very strongly to today's issues regarding family dynamics and racial integration. The acting is superb.

Questions for reflections and/or discussion:

• Walter Lee Younger sees greener pastures in his future if he could just be his own boss. Do you think he is the one who feels like a raisin in the sun? Do you think his view on what they should do with the money is the one that the family should follow? If not, whose view makes the most sense to you?
  
  
• The women are strong characters in the film. Do you think there is conflict between Ruth Younger and her mother-in-law Lena Younger that is under the surface? Have you ever had a conflict with someone that wasn't out in the open?
  
  
• The children in the film do not have many lines or many scenes. However, how does the presence of the children in the film make Walter Lee confront his role as father and head of the household?