By Felicia Pride, TheBacklist.netEven after performing on Broadway as Walter Lee Younger in Lorraine Hansberry's A RAISIN IN THE SUN, I was skeptical/angry/frustrated/
So I watched Diddy yesterday on television and can say that his performance didn't provoke me to throw my remote across the room and turn the channel, as I originally thought.
But he didn't quite move me either.
Hansberry's play is wonderfully simple and complex at the same time. I find Walter Lee's character just as simple and complex and it takes a certain type of actor to bring that dynamic to the screen. Diddy ain't him. He was decent; I'll give him that. But for me, decent wasn't enough.
Phylicia Rashad was awesome as the matriarch, Lena. And Audra McDonald, who plays Walter Lee's wife, Ruth, killed it.
Overall, I enjoyed it. I'm compelled to reread the play and I found a new appreciation for this tightly crafted piece of art by Ms. Hansberry. It is timeless.
Did you watch it? Thoughts?
Comments: (328)
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By: lissa on 2/26/2008 7:08PM
I sort of agree with you Felicia. I tried to watch the whole thing but about the 2nd hour in, I found myself flipping channels. I did check back to see the ending though. Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald were phenomenol! I am normally a Sanaa Lathan fan also but I'm not sure how I feel about her in this movie. I think I need to watch it again and give the movie as a whole another try.
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By: Maria on 2/26/2008 7:21PM
I agree with the other comments. I was not sold on Diddy's performance, and he would not have been my first choice for the roll, however, he did better than I thought he would. I also found myself channel surfing in the second and third hours and came back for the ending. Maybe it was all the commercials that drug it along too. Over all, it's good to see the movie come back.
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By: Lanette on 2/26/2008 7:44PM
Diddy was not good.
i was not sold at all.; the others were much better but they should be.
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By: Casey on 2/26/2008 8:31PM
I felt Diddy's performance was ok until I noticed that everytime he went to hug "momma" or Ruth, he would look to see where the camera was! Then bury his head in their shoulder. His facial expression was totally flat the entire movie. Where were the tears, or the wrenching frustration of life's dissappointments? Better yet I retract original statement and say his performance was "pitiful".
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By: Wanda T. on 2/27/2008 12:54PM
I watched the show because I have read the play and loved it. Diddy's performance was cold and empty. Perhaps acting is not his medium. It requires feelings and even in the music and fashion industry he appears cold and empty to me. The part of Walter Lee was a complex piece. He did not have the experience necessary to do justice to such a piece. However, I would like for him to continue and learn as much as he can about this craft because there are far too few good black men on television and this is yet another way he can continue to be a positive role model for all young people particularly young black men. Hang in there Diddy and keep trying.
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By: SonDan on 2/26/2008 8:50PM
Just want to say that the three female leads, the child actor and the actor that played Walter Lee's friend who also lost his money -- were all excellent!
I think since Sean co-produced the movie he starred himself. But this remake would have been so much better with an experienced actor playing Walter Lee. Wonder what Sidney Potier thought?
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By: Ethel on 2/27/2008 7:33PM
Diddy's performance was not natural. You could tell that he does not have a natural actor's ability to blend into a character and allow you as a viewer to feel his emotion. The scene when he found out that his business partner stole the money was terrible. In addition, that kiss! I felt sorry for the woman.
Diddy, at this moment you need much work. You are unnatural. Just stick with rap.
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By: SonDan on 2/26/2008 8:51PM
Casey - I noticed Sean looking at the camera a lot too. I also saw him look up from a hug and kiss of his wife to look first at the camera, then at Mama, then back down as his wife's shoulder? I wonder why this wasn't taken out in editing? Or re-done? Hmm. Oh well
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By: Denise DeShields on 2/26/2008 8:54PM
Ah come-on. There was to much drama.
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By: Amour on 2/26/2008 9:02PM
I watched the film and I thought Phylicia Rashad was awesome one of the best performances I've seen in a long time. Sanaa and Audra were good as well. Now on to Diddy he was Okay his New York accent made it hard for me too see him as Walter he was kind of stiff to me. The film overall get's an 8 out of 10.
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