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Actors: James Earl Jones, Diahann Carroll
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| Review Summary and Plot Commentary about Claudine |
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Claudine is a gem of a movie. It was presented by Third World Productions, a Black film company. The idea was to provide top notch, inspirational and equally uplifting thought provoking Black cinema among the sess-pool of low budget, exploitive Blackplotation films of that era. Dianne Carrol received an Oscar nomination for her performance as a hard working welfare mother trying to maintain her family unit while trying to find love the second time around. James Earl Jones portrayed her blue collar suitor with all sensitivity and seriousness needed to express the plight of the Black man during a time when the family units were being torn apart by the welfare system. Not only does the film provide excellent entertainment a great sense of humor but, it tackles serious social issues with an even hand. We see a loving family struggle with an unfair system while trying to beat the odds of dysfunction and estrangement. The soundtrack provided by equally social conscious Curtis Mayfield is superb. Gladys Knight provides the spectacular vocals to Mayfields arrangements. It is currently available through Rhino records. Claudine is a must-see!!!
--Vinnessa, Resident Scholar
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This is a WONDERFUL much overlooked classic about a maid (Diahann Caroll) who is on welfare and falls in love with a garbage man (James Earl Jones). Both have ambition and goals to want more out of life and love but how to achieve it is the issue in the movie. Watching these two middle age people fall in love is fun especially around Claudine's very demanding children. Diahann Caroll was nominated for an Oscar for her performance and should have won. It's her best performance EVER! You will love Claudine!
--Mina, Resident Scholar
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| Analysis of Claudine |
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot
Time/era of movie:
- 1960's-1970's
Romance/Love/Hugging
Yes
Kind of romance:
- romance (general)
- Unprepared for birthing/child rearing
Job/Profession/Poverty Story?
Yes
Ethnic/Regional/Gender story?
Yes
Main Char. ethnic: (if not US Caucasian)
- Black
Woman/class/friends story?
- story of lower class
Story of city/rural life?
- Big City
Culture clash?
- being oppressed by outside culture
Culture of surrounding area:
- American Black
Poverty story?
Yes
Poverty plotlets:
- coping with poverty (general)
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- servant
Age:
- 20's-30's
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
Hair color?
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Body type
- (man) muscular
- (woman) ample bosom & buttocks
Unclothed?
- Chest and Buttocks
Events of movie makes character more...
- caring
- tougher
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
- middling sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor?
- Strong but gentle sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Secondary Main Character
Identity:
- Male
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Body type
- (man) muscular
Unclothed?
- buttocks and chest
How much in movie?
- 90%-100%
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Female
Age:
- 20's-30's
Profession/status:
- govt employee
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- 20%
Hair color
- brunette (Black)
Hair type
- (woman) medium/shoulderlgn straight
Body type
- (woman) skinny
Ethnicity/Nationality
- Black
How sensitive is this character?
- mean, arrogant
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Setting
United States
Yes
The US:
- Northeast
Style
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
- generic/vague references to death/punishment
Movie makes you feel...
- concerned
- excited
Sex/nudity in movie?
Yes
What kind of sex:
- kissing
- seeing breasts
- seeing nude female butt
- seeing nude male butt
- sex under blankets
If soundtrack VERY NOTICEABLE...
- Jazz/r&b
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Note: the views expressed here are only those of the reviewer(s). | |
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