Continuing to review movies featuring African-Americans in chronological order for Black History Month, we're now at 1964 when an independent film about the struggles during the segregated South gets released to critical acclaim. Ivan Dixon, previously Joseph Asagai in both play and filmed versions of A Raisin in the Sun, is Duff Anderson, a railroad worker who one day falls for schoolteacher Josie played by Abbey Lincoln. Despite her parents', especially her preacher father's, disapproval, they get married and they try to get along with many bigoted white folks. It turns out to be too much for Duff, however, as he also has to deal with an alcoholic father (Julius Harris) and an upcoming baby. There's more but I'll just say that this was a very realistic drama about what it was like living in such humiliating times for a black man. Dixon is at turns both smartly observant and righteously angry during the film and you can't help feeling sorry at times for him even when he does do things that get him in trouble. Ms. Lincoln herself has such a quiet intensity about herself here that you hope she doesn't regret her love for Ivan's character. So on that note, Nothing But a Man comes highly recommended. P.S. Among the many people of color in the supporting cast worth noting are Gloria Foster as Lee, Yaphet Kotto as Jocko, Mel Stewart as Riddick, Moses Gunn as one of the mill hands, and Ester Rolle as one of the church woman. Also, as a Chicago native, I'd like to note that both Ms. Lincoln and Ms. Foster were born there as well.
Review of Nothing But a Man
Nothing But a Man
(1964)
Nothing But a Man is an excellent showcase for Ivan Dixon and Abbey Lincoln
18 February 2011