The River Niger

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10/28/2016 The tone of the movie is likewise all over the place. It jumps from surreal dark comedy to second rate melodrama and back again, often in the same scene. The sloppy, unfocused script compounded with the erratic performances helps rob The River Niger of whatever power it could've had. See more 04/22/2015 A house painter/poet hits hard times when his son returns home and his wife is diagnosed with cancer. Powerful message though-out drives the almost comic tone of this ultimately very serious drama. Not great, but certainly worth a look for some outstanding performances and social commentary. See more 02/17/2015 Several well-known African American actors in this mid-70's film about the coming home of a son from air force navigation school brings some surprises to family and his revolutionary former friends. A film from a different place and time. Lots happens at the end and film ends with too many loose ends. See more 06/04/2014 Family goings on in poor urban black neighbourhood of LA. Well-intentioned but less entertaining than a standard blaxploitation, partly because the film is from another time and place. Of interest possibly to hear poetry read in the distinctive voice of James Earl Jones. See more 10/23/2011 Painter James Earl Jones is moonlighting as a poet and his poem "The River Niger" is his most emotional yet. Things will come to a crisis when his son (Glyn Turman) returns from the Air Force, his loving wife (Cicely Tyson) is diagnosed with cancer and the neighborhood black rebels take refuge in his house. It's a heavy handed drama with many themes of race, ambition, black power, parental aspirations but the most compelling element is the family drama. Jonelle Allen is radiant as Ann, Turman's fiancee and Hilda Haynes is the cranky dipsomaniac grandmother. Also, along for the drama is Lous Gossett Jr. as the famly doctor. The dialogue is preachy and characters seem to be yelling or trying to outwit one another non-stop. I didn't find the movie entertaining but overwrought. However, it's saved by a good cast especially the sincere acting by Cicely Tyson, Glynn Turman and Jonelle Allen. It was nice to be transported in the 1970s era with afros, pintos, and plaid clothing. However, the movie could have done with some reference of the political times in the aftermath of Martin Luther King. See more 08/22/2008 a very low, low budget movie, great actors, memorable lines, definitely a must see, james earl jones is the man See more Read all reviews

The River Niger

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