In Montgomery, Alabama, before the Civil Rights Movement, the deacons of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church want Dr. Vernon Johns to be their pastor--despite the fact that he has been let go from numerous churches. The latest of these was in Charleston, West Virginia; Dr. Johns claims the people there were uppity, while the deacons in Montgomery believe that church wasn't willing to adapt to change. And theirs will be?
Black doctors and lawyers go to Dexter Avenue. As Deacon Wilkes, a mortician, drives Dr. Johns across town in his fine car, they pass a number of poor blacks. Deacon Wilkes points out that those aren't Dexter Avenue people. Dr. Johns says none of us are better than "the least of these".
The church is packed for Dr. Johns' first sermon. Some people have to stand outside and listen through speakers. What Dr. Johns says is not what these people want to hear, more than likely. The specific scripture is not mentioned in the movie, but the story is recorded in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man went to Hell and saw Lazarus in Heaven, and begged Lazarus for water.
Dr. Johns sees prejudice against his people. He tells his children they will walk to school rather than riding a segregated bus, and that his family will not deal with segregated businesses. He begins telling his members they should do business with other black people, not with the whites who only want their money. To set an example, he grows his own watermelons and other produce, embarrassing his members by selling them outside the church.
Dr. Johns wants to see change, and he preaches to his members that they must be held accountable for not doing more for their own people. Deacon Wilkes is content with the progress his people are making, but Dr. Johns is not. As he takes steps to make change happen, he gets white people angry in Montgomery, and he upsets his own members as well.
The movie ends with Dr. Martin Luther King taking over as Dexter Avenue's pastor. Eric Ware captures the civil rights leader's style so effectively, I just wonder if a recording of King himself was used.
James Earl Jones gives his usual fine performance, with a bonus. Of course, Dr. Johns is kind and caring when he can be. But he is stern and demanding with his children, who still know he loves them (No licking ice cream--it makes you look like a dog! Being teased builds character!). He will not back down from those who want to stand in his way. And he gets angry! He is a powerful preacher, but not charismatic in the way King was.
Other outstanding performances come from Joe Seneca as Deacon Wilkes, Mary Alice as the wife whose patience with her husband is running out, and Tommy Hollis as Deacon Hill, a football coach who stands up for Dr. Johns after realizing he is right.
Nicole Leach has an angelic singing voice. She also does a capable job playing Dr. Johns' oldest daughter. Cissy Houston displays even more talent than her more famous daughter Whitney--as Rose the pianist, she refuses to play spirituals. That's just not done here! As an actress, she shows a lot of attitude. She has a wonderful singing style as well.
Certain words are used here that rarely make it onto network TV these days. The expression abbreviated "G. D." was apparently bleeped from the Golden Globe Awards, for example, but Dr. Johns uses it twice. And the N-word is said numerous times. Also the nickname for a cute masked mammal. There is also a beating similar to that of Rodney King, and we see the aftermath of a rape.
As is often the case with movies such as this, my people are not portrayed in a positive way. Most whites here are hateful. Judge Blake wants to keep blacks subservient and likes the attitude of Deacon Wilkes, who goes along with what he says. One white doctor insists on treating a black patient, but he is warned what will happen if he does.
This is an important movie for all to see. A number of people had to stand up for what is right to make change happen, though this movie differs in one important area you'll just have to watch to see. As with other movies like this one, blacks and other minorities will see how things were and how they shouldn't take for granted their current status, though it is not perfect. Whites will be reminded how they shouldn't behave.
Black doctors and lawyers go to Dexter Avenue. As Deacon Wilkes, a mortician, drives Dr. Johns across town in his fine car, they pass a number of poor blacks. Deacon Wilkes points out that those aren't Dexter Avenue people. Dr. Johns says none of us are better than "the least of these".
The church is packed for Dr. Johns' first sermon. Some people have to stand outside and listen through speakers. What Dr. Johns says is not what these people want to hear, more than likely. The specific scripture is not mentioned in the movie, but the story is recorded in Luke 16:19-31. The rich man went to Hell and saw Lazarus in Heaven, and begged Lazarus for water.
Dr. Johns sees prejudice against his people. He tells his children they will walk to school rather than riding a segregated bus, and that his family will not deal with segregated businesses. He begins telling his members they should do business with other black people, not with the whites who only want their money. To set an example, he grows his own watermelons and other produce, embarrassing his members by selling them outside the church.
Dr. Johns wants to see change, and he preaches to his members that they must be held accountable for not doing more for their own people. Deacon Wilkes is content with the progress his people are making, but Dr. Johns is not. As he takes steps to make change happen, he gets white people angry in Montgomery, and he upsets his own members as well.
The movie ends with Dr. Martin Luther King taking over as Dexter Avenue's pastor. Eric Ware captures the civil rights leader's style so effectively, I just wonder if a recording of King himself was used.
James Earl Jones gives his usual fine performance, with a bonus. Of course, Dr. Johns is kind and caring when he can be. But he is stern and demanding with his children, who still know he loves them (No licking ice cream--it makes you look like a dog! Being teased builds character!). He will not back down from those who want to stand in his way. And he gets angry! He is a powerful preacher, but not charismatic in the way King was.
Other outstanding performances come from Joe Seneca as Deacon Wilkes, Mary Alice as the wife whose patience with her husband is running out, and Tommy Hollis as Deacon Hill, a football coach who stands up for Dr. Johns after realizing he is right.
Nicole Leach has an angelic singing voice. She also does a capable job playing Dr. Johns' oldest daughter. Cissy Houston displays even more talent than her more famous daughter Whitney--as Rose the pianist, she refuses to play spirituals. That's just not done here! As an actress, she shows a lot of attitude. She has a wonderful singing style as well.
Certain words are used here that rarely make it onto network TV these days. The expression abbreviated "G. D." was apparently bleeped from the Golden Globe Awards, for example, but Dr. Johns uses it twice. And the N-word is said numerous times. Also the nickname for a cute masked mammal. There is also a beating similar to that of Rodney King, and we see the aftermath of a rape.
As is often the case with movies such as this, my people are not portrayed in a positive way. Most whites here are hateful. Judge Blake wants to keep blacks subservient and likes the attitude of Deacon Wilkes, who goes along with what he says. One white doctor insists on treating a black patient, but he is warned what will happen if he does.
This is an important movie for all to see. A number of people had to stand up for what is right to make change happen, though this movie differs in one important area you'll just have to watch to see. As with other movies like this one, blacks and other minorities will see how things were and how they shouldn't take for granted their current status, though it is not perfect. Whites will be reminded how they shouldn't behave.