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To Sleep With Anger

Play trailer Poster for To Sleep With Anger PG Released Oct 12, 1990 1h 42m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
89% Tomatometer 35 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 500+ Ratings
Vagabond Harry (Danny Glover) pays an unexpected visit to his old chum Gideon (Paul Butler), who accepts the aimless man into his home, despite the fact that the household is already overcrowded. Hard-drinking yet charismatic, Harry both entertains and enrages Gideon and his wife, Suzie (Mary Alice). However, after Gideon falls gravely ill, Harry decides to step in and take his friend's place in the household. Unfortunately, his intentions are far from pure, and the consequences are tragic.
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To Sleep With Anger

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Critics Consensus

To Sleep with Anger examines cultural tensions with a deft hand and a potent blend of comedy and drama, stirred skillfully to life by a strong cast led by Danny Glover.

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Critics Reviews

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Richard Brody The New Yorker Danny Glover stars in Charles Burnett's mood-rich blend of family discord and resurgent mythology. Apr 14, 2020 Full Review Melissa Anderson Village Voice One of the finest films to explore city versus country, old ways versus new, kin versus kin. Sep 7, 2016 Full Review Chuck Bowen Slant Magazine Charles Burnett bridges theatrical dialogue, portentous omens, and presentational acting with masterful grace. Rated: 4/4 Sep 6, 2016 Full Review Molly Haskell Video Review An unusual and richly rewarding viewing experience. Rated: 3/4 Nov 29, 2023 Full Review Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand ... explores the collision of rural Southern Black culture with middle class African-American urban life, folk superstitions and remedies versus religion and modern medicine, and complicated family relationships in the modern world. Apr 8, 2023 Full Review Joe Leydon The Moving Picture Show A quietly unsettling film that finds dark portents and hints of the supernatural in the seemingly commonplace Jun 16, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alec B What's ingenious here is how Glover is both a demonic and messianic figure, bringing long simmering family tensions to a boil . . . not to destroy the family but to save them. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/10/24 Full Review Audience Member What's ingenious here is how Glover is both a demonic and messianic figure, bringing long simmering family tensions to a boil. This doesn't destroy the family, it saves them. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 02/13/23 Full Review Audience Member Danny Glover is Harry. He pays an unexpected visit to his old chum Gideon (Paul Butler), who accepts the aimless man into his home, despite the fact that the household is already overcrowded. Hard-drinking yet charismatic, Harry both entertains and enrages Gideon and his wife, Suzie. Gideon then falls gravely ill, Harry decides to step in and take his friend's place in the household. Unfortunately, his intentions are far from pure, and the consequences are tragic. There's a lot of talk in here and I was quite bored. But I admire the movie having many relatable elements when it comes to this kind of family drama. Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Audience Member I first watched the movie when released in 1990, and watched again. This movie is very layered and many references for African Americans - especially those of us that grew up in the south. See it. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/12/23 Full Review scott s One of Danny Glover's best films as a drifter whose presence seems to expose the hearts of the people in the household as tensions arise between brothers, siblings, and parents, and culture change. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member On its surface, Charles Burnett's To Sleep with Anger is a spuriously-written drama about an enticing yet devilish man (Danny Glover) with increasingly menacing undertones that impact an African-American family with Southern roots living in South Central. At closer look, Burnett's cult classic is a subtly prescient dramatic exploration of the existential crisis between the traditions of the past and the inevitability of modernity. More importantly, To Sleep with Anger weighs the impact of the cost/benefits of this divide on African-American life, family and culture. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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To Sleep With Anger

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Movie Info

Synopsis Vagabond Harry (Danny Glover) pays an unexpected visit to his old chum Gideon (Paul Butler), who accepts the aimless man into his home, despite the fact that the household is already overcrowded. Hard-drinking yet charismatic, Harry both entertains and enrages Gideon and his wife, Suzie (Mary Alice). However, after Gideon falls gravely ill, Harry decides to step in and take his friend's place in the household. Unfortunately, his intentions are far from pure, and the consequences are tragic.
Director
Charles Burnett
Distributor
Samuel Goldwyn Company
Production Co
SVS Films
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 12, 1990, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Apr 19, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$1.2M
Runtime
1h 42m
Sound Mix
Surround
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