Once Upon a Time... When We Were Colored (1995)

User Rating:

7.5/10   

Director:

Tim Reid

Writers (WGA):

Clifton L. Taulbert (book)
Paul W. Cooper (screenplay)

Release Date:

26 January 1996 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | Romance

Plot:

A narrator tells the story of his childhood years in a tightly knit Afro-American community in the deep south under racial segregation.

Plot Keywords:

Community | Segregation | Schoolteacher | Childbirth | Political Activism

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Al Freeman Jr.	...	Poppa
Phylicia Rashad	...	Ma Ponk
Leon	...	Uncle Melvin
Paula Kelly	...	Ma Pearl
Salli Richardson-Whitfield	...	Miss Alice (as Salli Richardson)
Anna Maria Horsford	...	Miss Annie
Bernie Casey	...	Mr. Walter
Isaac Hayes	...	Preacher Hurn
Willis Norwood Jr.	...	Cliff (12 Yrs.)
Karen Malina White	...	Mary
Damon Hines	...	Cliff at 16
Iona Morris	...	Nila Fontaine
Phill Lewis	...	Sammy (19 Yrs.) / Narrator
Taj Mahal	...	Mr. Will
Polly Bergen	...	Miss Maybry

MPAA:

Rated PG for thematic elements including mild violence, language, and sensuality.

Runtime:

115 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG | USA:PG

Filming Locations:

Wilmington, North Carolina, USA

Company:

BET Pictures

Quotes:

Preacher Hurn: If you call Jesus, his line is never busy.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Phat Girlz (2006)

Soundtrack:

Maybe Tomorrow

A special film, heartfelt, soft spoken.

Tim Reid has not been ‘that guy from WKRP' for some time now. And no, he wasn't Isaac on The Love Boat either. He still finds himself in too many schlocky TV movies, and weak situation comedies. One must pay the rent, and no one can argue with that.

More and more a champion of black film, he has been careful, deliberate in his choice of projects. Once Upon a Time When We Were Colored, elevates him, appropriately, as a serious filmmaker, black, white, or otherwise.

This is not a ‘new' film, but it is a different approach. An insightful look into Afro-American existence during turbulent times, the focus is on the community, rather than the oppression, the individuals rather than the cause. The result is every bit as effective in getting the message across. ‘You get more flies with honey…'

Al Freeman Jr. gets a well-deserved opportunity to show that he's not just some kind of TV Morgan Freeman. His portrayal of Poppa, the family patriarch is wonderful and slighted unfortunately by the Academy. Even the Image awards overlooked him, preferring to bestow honor on the over-cooked and under-talented Phylicia Rashad, one of the only weak links in this strong cast. Bernie Casey and Richard Roundtree both play well against their macho-type.

Don't expect to be hit over the head with the ideas of this film. Just let it ease you on down the road, and, take a look around, every so often as you do.