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Native Son

Play trailer Poster for Native Son PG 1986 1h 51m Drama Romance Play Trailer Watchlist
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A young man (Victor Love) accidentally kills his white boss's daughter (Elizabeth McGovern) in 1930s Chicago.

Critics Reviews

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Vincent Canby New York Times 05/20/2003
2/5
The film makers haven't listened to Wright. They appear to have been aiming at the same genteel audience that insists on seeing something sentimental and upbeat even in a television movie-of-the-week about AIDS. Go to Full Review
Roger Ebert Chicago Sun-Times 01/01/2000
3/4
The movie understands that the story really is about the killer's point of view. It is not the story of a crime, not a docudrama, not a sociological essay. Go to Full Review
Rita Kempley Washington Post 01/01/2000
Unfortunately, drama translates as melodrama and speechy, preachy dialogue tells us we're watching something that's good for us. Go to Full Review
Kate Rushin Gay Community News (Boston) 08/16/2022
Freedman presents the plot of the novel without seeming to understand or respect Wright’s purpose. Go to Full Review
TV Guide 08/20/2010
2.5/4
Ultimately, the film fails because of Silver's fears of offending the audience, the same fear that Wright himself faced and overcame. Go to Full Review
Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com 08/12/2005
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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09/06/2015 Unfortunate story of impoverished young black man who accidentally kills his wealthy white employer's daughter. Second filming of the landmark book released in 1940 and maybe best to read the novel instead judging from other reviews. See more 06/09/2009 My opinion of this movie is somewhat biased because it is my favorite book. The way in which the movie is covered does not do the book justice. I, in many ways prefer the version of the film that features Richard Wright himself. See more 04/04/2009 Okay, the two worst parts of this movie -- the fact that the cut down Books 2 and 3 into 20 minutes. Book 3 had the most interesting character development, insight, and interactions, but they showed NONE OF IT. Because of this, the pacing was awful and it made this film seem like a waste of time. The second worst part was the MUSIC. It sounded like leftovers from Sesame Street. It didn't fit at all, and made scenes unintentionally humorous. See more 12/07/2008 As much as I hated the book, I found this to be even worse. See more 08/06/2008 loved the storyline but didn't liked how it turned out....i felt really sorry for bigger thomas, actually felt sorry for the whole family.... See more 07/19/2008 has a stupid story.he killed the girl 'accidently'.but he didnt tell it anyone.but i kinda like it. See more Read all reviews
Native Son

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis A young man (Victor Love) accidentally kills his white boss's daughter (Elizabeth McGovern) in 1930s Chicago.
Director
Jerrold Freedman
Producer
Diane Silver
Screenwriter
Richard Wesley
Production Co
American Playhouse, Cinétudes Films, Cinecom Pictures
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama, Romance
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
May 22, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA)
$374.6K
Runtime
1h 51m