Ernest J. Gaines' The Sky Is Gray

Starring:Olivia Cole, James Bond III, Margaret Avery, Cleavon Little, Chez Lister, Susan French, Clinton Derricks-Carroll, Hal Williams, Roberta Jean Williams, Hilda Haynes, Lynn Arden, Reuben Collins, Beverly Johnson (III), Kenny Johnson (II), Macon McCalman, Melvina Smedley, Julie Vails, Les Williams
Director: Stan Lathan
Studio: Monterey Video
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Seen on PBS

Written By: Ernest J. Gaines

Starring: Olivia Cole and James Bond III

Directed By: Stan Lathan Description: From Ernest J. Gaines, author of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman", comes a deceptively simple, yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy's discovery of what it's like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940's.

James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism-and his own sense of pride.

With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated placewhere things are never truly black or whiteonly shades of gray.

Description

Seen on PBS

Written By: Ernest J. Gaines

Starring: Olivia Cole and James Bond III

With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated place…where things are never truly black or white…only shades of gray.

DVD Extras: About the Author, Actors' Bios, About the American Short Story Collection, Henry Fonda Intro, Printable Study Guide

Customer Reviews:

Great Liteature brought to life!.......2007-01-15

I first discovered this film at my college library. I had heard of the author's ...Miss Jane Pittman but was soon delighted to discover this gem. I've watched it over and over again. Read the short story or watch the film, the film remains true to the story. And each time many messages may be spoken in this film. One message in particular: Life is what you perceive it to be not what others say it is. The moral of the story can be found throughout the film and 1 important moral can be found in the dentist office scene. Remember, "Grass is black and the wind is pink." This is one of my favorite lines as well as is this one: "It's green 'cause they say its green." Eveyone can take something from this film/short story.

FORCED TO SEE GRAY.......2001-08-27

Young James' world is limited to the Negro Quarters of rural Louisiana until a tootache forces him into a world he never imagined. A trip into town to get a tooth pulled ends up as a classroom for life's lessons and ambiguities. Set in the early 1940's, "The Sky is Gray", is the film adaptation of Ernest Gaines' short story. It is a classic piece in that a young Black boy comes face to face with the contradictions in the black and white adult world. Seen through an adolescent's eyes you will feel his surprise, raise his questions and share his hurts. This wonderful film is sensitive in its portrayal of a young boy forced to grow up in a hostile world. Gaines' black and white characters move beyond the stereotypes of southern society. Through James' eyes you see a young man confronting the slave mentality of a preacher while waiting for his dental appointment. You see James' mother attempting to maintain her dignity and pride when she knows her earnings are meager.Yet you find a woman who is willing to accept kindness, on her own terms. She makes it clear to her son that they are not beggers but working people. Most of all this film teaches us the lessons youth must be forced to learn especially if they're in an environment that is determined to keep them poor, ignorant and disenfranchised. James' mother must force him to grow up fast before he is consumed by the world. James sees the grays in this adult world but there is hope that he will be able to overcome the obstacles. This is a beautiful story about adolescence, becoming a man and learning how to live with dignity and pride regardless of your status. You will enjoy this touching story that reaches into your heart and fills you with joy for James and all young boys who must walk a similar path.

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