Charles Burnett's beautiful, poetic masterpiece is novelistic in its narrative density and richness of characterisation. Harry Mention (Danny Glover), an enigmatic drifter from the South, comes to visit an old acquaintance named Gideon (Paul Butler), who now lives in South-Central Los Angeles. Harry's charming, down-home manner .. Read more
| Starring | Danny Glover, Paul Butler, De Vaughn Nixon |
|---|---|
| Director | Charles Burnett |
| Genres | Drama |
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Charles Burnett's beautiful, poetic masterpiece is novelistic in its narrative density and richness of characterisation. Harry Mention (Danny Glover), an enigmatic drifter from the South, comes to visit an old acquaintance named Gideon (Paul Butler), who now lives in South-Central Los Angeles. Harry's charming, down-home manner hides a malicious penchant for stirring up trouble, and he exerts a strange and powerful effect on Gideon and his thoroughly assimilated black, middle-class family, including wife Suzie (Mary Alice) and sons Junior (Carl Lumbly) and Babe (Richard Brooks). The household was already rife with conflict when the devilish guest arrived, and Harry's grab bag of folktales, lucky charms, and foul magic only deepens the family rift. Sickness and insanity gradually descend upon Gideon's home, and it soon becomes evident that something will have to give.
Burnett, who gained prominence with his groundbreaking 1977 film KILLER OF SHEEP, proves with this powerful drama that his earlier effort was no fluke. He paces his film extremely slowly, to the point where subtle throwaway gestures contribute to the film's thickening tension. Glover, known more for his sympathetic performances, is a perfect Harry, an individual so contradictory that he becomes even more of a hidden devil.
| Starring | Danny Glover, Paul Butler, De Vaughn Nixon |
|---|---|
| Director | Charles Burnett |
| Studio | BFI VIDEO |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 38 mins |
| Certificate |  |
| Genres | Drama |
| Language | DVD: English |
| Released | Production year: 1990 To Rent: DVD: not available |
Burnett's ambitious blend of folklore and family feuding opens startlingly: Gideon, an elderly black paterfamilias,... read more on Time Out
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And????
This film has no point and nothing actually really happens. I know some films like that are very good, this one isn't. It went absolutely nowhere and gave ... read more »
[Highly rated reviewer]
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'To Sleep With Anger'
Danny Glover is superb in his role - there a few films made by directors that dare to deal with straight drama - Burmett is a master
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Good film
Good film, entertaining. some really good performances.
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Not All Hollywood and Glamour
Good old tale about a the importance of family. When a family friend comes to stay in an African American home, he brings with him confusion and destruction. ... read more »
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