Esther Rolles has this hands down. She put all the anguish and pain black men and women faced in the only work allowed them during that time in her performance. I could see her husband clearest through Esther's performance. He was almost a tangible presence in this scene.
Spot on description, Sis. The way Esther Rolle pounds her hand while saying "Working and working and working." Gives you insight into the kind of labor her husband endured. This man was not an attorney or an accountant by any means. She completely drove home his attempt to provide for his family to the point of death. My, LORD. Dynamic actress. Amazing to witness.
Love all of them, BUT, Baybay! Claudia McNeil does it for me everytime! You can physically see and hear her go from sadness to stifled raged as she is picturing her last husband and what it took to get that money. The rage she displays is captivating because she does not fully move but only uses specific and intentional movements but the way she delivers the lines the tone of her voice is what sells it. Then when she cries out to God for strength not to kill her son accompanied by Walter’s cries for Willie it gives me absolutely chills! Yes Esther and Phylicia are phenomenal in the roles and they were realistic but to me Claudia gave us “less is more” approach that gave everything! And you see she felt it from the very core of her being
Ms. Claudia McNeil and Sidney Portier. The best out of all the performances. Probably because they originated in the stage version. Phylicia delivered the lines like lines. I did not feel the tension a child feels when they messed up with a parent. Claudia and Sidney show this when she is about to strike her son and calls out for strength, Sidney is reduced to a child not accepting responsibility and blaming Willie. It was perfection. As much as I love Esther Rolle, this was not a good performance. She and Danny were too old for the roles, and Danny's slobbering all over the place gace me the icks.
Of all the performances Claudia’s is the performance where when you see her you literally go oh shit😂. Because she has the slow build up of rage and heartbreak as she walks towards him.
3 great women,3 great performances,3 men 2 great performances,Puffy didn't show enough emotions of sorrow and disgust with himself,there are several male black actors who could've gave a performance that came from a deeper place of insecurity and vulnerability,I noticed they didn't mention God in the last performance.I personally believe that black actors and actresses have way more oscar and emmy potential wins but we're either not given the roles or not enough script writers and financial backers support US uplifting and inspiring US, B.E.T has failed to deliver cultural awakening and has settled for mediocrity and stereotypes,It should have focused on telling our own history and creating an avenue for Black inspiration rather than exploitation.
They are all awesome phylicia is obvious in the time it was done. Older movies were like filmes theater plays where as movies now are more real life drama depiction. Things you would see in real life. And phylicia is a real life gut hurt.
Sidney and Danny played as Walter very well. Sidney is the original and best Walter of course. Danny Glover played him well. But, Puffy was awful and not in it. 3. Esther 2. Phylicia 1. Claudia
I strongly disagree. Puff’s performance was accurate of a true 35 year old male’s reaction. Poitier physically over-dramatized it & Glover gave the emotion of a teenager: not fitting for an almost middle-aged Walter with a family of his own.
In my opinion, Rashad really nailed that one. The other two actesses were absolutely great as well but a little theatrical by today's standards. Twenty years from now, another actress will propose yet another interpretation.
Yea itll go like this Well I am so sorry i didn't have more it's my fault your father didnt leave us more Let me see if I can find some woildnt want to make you unhappy New age kids interpretation
I must disagree. Esther’s performance was spot on as the play was written. It was dramatic bc the scene has to be so powerful that they again, lost it all and have to continue to struggle bc none of her kids know real struggle.
Miss Rashad's multi-layered, nuanced performance is a master class in acting.
Esther Rolles has this hands down. She put all the anguish and pain black men and women faced in the only work allowed them during that time in her performance. I could see her husband clearest through Esther's performance. He was almost a tangible presence in this scene.
Spot on description, Sis. The way Esther Rolle pounds her hand while saying "Working and working and working." Gives you insight into the kind of labor her husband endured. This man was not an attorney or an accountant by any means. She completely drove home his attempt to provide for his family to the point of death. My, LORD. Dynamic actress. Amazing to witness.
All 3 are phenominal actresses but Claudia and Esther....baaaaby!
All of them were great, but I think Phylicia's was the most realistic for this part.
Agreed 100%. The way she started it off so gently...and lord her cry! Yeah too realistical
Yes it was
Esther Rolles owns this scene. You can see her pain, feel it and know what struggles she has been through that her kids can’t even imagine!
Phylicia Rashad was powerful too , I felt that😥
💐💐💐SHEENA WINEY: CLAUDIA MCNEIL, ESTHER ROLLE, AND PHYLICIA RASHAD💐💐💐
Phylicia played the hell outta that part. Esther Rolle was the only one bout it to hit his ass lol
THE ORIGINAL WAS ABOUT TOO HIT TOO
All three are excellent.
I would love to see Viola Davis in this role!
Viola Davis - Lena Younger, Aldis Hodge - Walter Lee Younger, Chloe Bailey - Benetha Younger, Ashley Blaine Featherson - Ruth Younger.
From 3:49 to 3:51...that should be made into a .GIF and looped! That was more emotional than "damn, Damn, DAMN!!!"
A true reflection of the many testimonies of "US",to be treasured,valued,honored,and respected
Love all of them, BUT, Baybay! Claudia McNeil does it for me everytime! You can physically see and hear her go from sadness to stifled raged as she is picturing her last husband and what it took to get that money. The rage she displays is captivating because she does not fully move but only uses specific and intentional movements but the way she delivers the lines the tone of her voice is what sells it. Then when she cries out to God for strength not to kill her son accompanied by Walter’s cries for Willie it gives me absolutely chills!
Yes Esther and Phylicia are phenomenal in the roles and they were realistic but to me Claudia gave us “less is more” approach that gave everything! And you see she felt it from the very core of her being
Oh Jesus, Phylicia Rashad’s performance! 👏🏽 That’s a cry of a broken heart 💔 when your own flesh and blood breaks your heart and betrays you ❤
Ms. Claudia McNeil and Sidney Portier. The best out of all the performances. Probably because they originated in the stage version. Phylicia delivered the lines like lines. I did not feel the tension a child feels when they messed up with a parent. Claudia and Sidney show this when she is about to strike her son and calls out for strength, Sidney is reduced to a child not accepting responsibility and blaming Willie. It was perfection.
As much as I love Esther Rolle, this was not a good performance. She and Danny were too old for the roles, and Danny's slobbering all over the place gace me the icks.
Lol yeah Mr. Glover really wanted us to feel that performance
Esther took me back to good times ... 😂🙌🏽... her performance and Claudia ‘s got me crying like I lost the money😂.
Esther Esther Esther ....she did THAT!!! Love Claudia, but Esther took me all the way in!!!
Of all the performances Claudia’s is the performance where when you see her you literally go oh shit😂. Because she has the slow build up of rage and heartbreak as she walks towards him.
Yep and the way Sidney screamed Willyyy😂
3 great women,3 great performances,3 men 2 great performances,Puffy didn't show enough emotions of sorrow and disgust with himself,there are several male black actors who could've gave a performance that came from a deeper place of insecurity and vulnerability,I noticed they didn't mention God in the last performance.I personally believe that black actors and actresses have way more oscar and emmy potential wins but we're either not given the roles or not enough script writers and financial backers support US uplifting and inspiring US, B.E.T has failed to deliver cultural awakening and has settled for mediocrity and stereotypes,It should have focused on telling our own history and creating an avenue for Black inspiration rather than exploitation.
God was mentioned in the last scene. She asked for strentgh.
0:01 the moment you're busted as soon as you see your mom in the room
Hands down Claudia and Esther , both powerful .
Puffy was terrible.
Puffy was awful. Sidney and Danny did it well. Especially Sidney.
Oh my gosh! All three were soooo great! I will not choose!
Phylicia. I felt her lament.
Esther Rolle was PERFECT!!!!
They are all awesome phylicia is obvious in the time it was done. Older movies were like filmes theater plays where as movies now are more real life drama depiction. Things you would see in real life. And phylicia is a real life gut hurt.
Claudia and Sidney were superb.
Esther and Danny were terrible.
Phylicia was great, but Puffy was awful.
I AGREE WITH YOU YOU CANT BEAT THE ORIGINALS
Sidney and Danny played as Walter very well. Sidney is the original and best Walter of course. Danny Glover played him well. But, Puffy was awful and not in it.
3. Esther
2. Phylicia
1. Claudia
I strongly disagree. Puff’s performance was accurate of a true 35 year old male’s reaction. Poitier physically over-dramatized it & Glover gave the emotion of a teenager: not fitting for an almost middle-aged Walter with a family of his own.
In my opinion, Rashad really nailed that one. The other two actesses were absolutely great as well but a little theatrical by today's standards. Twenty years from now, another actress will propose yet another interpretation.
Yea itll go like this Well I am so sorry i didn't have more it's my fault your father didnt leave us more
Let me see if I can find some woildnt want to make you unhappy New age kids interpretation
Phylicia and Esther
Ester Did Good
I LIKE ESTHER ROLLE BUT THE ORIGINAL DID MUCH BETTER
Its a toss up between Phylicia and Claudia...no disrespect to the late great Esther Rolle but her performance looked too unnatural.
I must disagree. Esther’s performance was spot on as the play was written. It was dramatic bc the scene has to be so powerful that they again, lost it all and have to continue to struggle bc none of her kids know real struggle.