America's Dream (1996) (TV)

User Rating:

5.8/10   

Directors:

Paris Barclay
Bill Duke

Writers:

Maya Angelou (story)
John Henrik Clarke (story)

Release Date:

17 February 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Plot Keywords:

Independent Film

Awards:

5 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Danny Glover	...	Silas (segment "Long Black Song")
Wesley Snipes	...	George Du Vaul (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Lorraine Toussaint	...	Philomena (segment "The Reunion")
Tate Donovan	...	David (segment "Long Black Song")
Norman D. Golden II	...	Aaron (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Susanna Thompson	...	Beth Ann (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Jasmine Guy	...	Elna Du Vaul (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Tina Lifford	...	Sarah (segment "Long Black Song")
Carl Lumbly	...	Cal (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Bennet Guillory	...	Willie (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Danny Kamin	...	Mr. Harper (segment "Long Black Song") (as Daniel Tucker Kamin)
Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly	...	Lara (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black") (as Rae'ven A'lyia Kelly)
Timothy Carhart	...	Prof. Daniel (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Summer Ross Jefferson	...	Young Philomena #1 (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")
Vanessa Bell Calloway	...	Miss Williams (segment "The Boy Who Painted Christ Black")

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for a scene of sexuality.

Runtime:

87 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby SR

Certification:

Germany:6 | UK:PG | USA:PG-13 | Australia:M

Filming Locations:

Dallas, Texas, USA

Company:

Carrie Productions Inc.

.. could be better

I liked mostly the "Long Black Song"; whether black or white a woman is a woman, and a man is a man. I think the film should have had a more feminist shade. Still, Tina Lifford's performance is really good and natural, though the sex bit seems badly done with bad cuts. The "Boy who painted Christ black" seemed one of those still stuck between "good" and "evil". The narrative seemed limited and shallow. "The Reunion" seemed to tell the story, rather then ask questions - so to speak. I think it could have been better in terms of the screeplay, casting and acting.