La pasión de Cora

Viewers unfamiliar with the Langston Hughs' short story are in for a moving experience with this thoughtful feature film. Not televised since 2000, you can catch it NOW on DVD!

As a white American Male I would seem to be an unlikely admirer of a film centered around a black female domestic worker in Depression-era Iowa. But Regina Taylor had me captivated as Cora, a character we can truly care about! Her charm and understated wit are played masterfully, and this film emerges as another testament to the Triumph of the Human Spirit. Bravo, Regina! And you also, Cherry Jones for your layered performance in counterpoint to Regina's character!

This film again proves that American Television projects can be top-notch if the will and funding are provided. There is so much acting talent in America that we could produce much more entertainment that has significant social substance if we were subsidized by the government Big Time, like the BBC is!

We love the BBC imports, but the cultural exchange should be a Two-Way Street! America Culture has much to offer the world Beyond Blockbuster Car Chases and War! Viva la Public Television!

I saw this movie on Masterpiece Theatre on PBS. It was so amazing in every aspect that the story, acting and production were all worthy of a major motion picture release.

People will always say (rightly so) that movies are never as good as the book, however, this movie is one of only two movies I have ever seen that are in my opinion better that the original writing they are taken from (the other being Billy Budd).

I love Langston Hughes and all, but the original short story was a little short and lacking in emotion. That being said, read the story and see this movie if you ever get the chance.

I was honored with being an extra in the town scene shot in Cambridge, Iowa. I was selected last minute to play the racist grocer and Debra Pratt was an incredible director to work with. Sadly, my close up scene was cut (I learned a year later when it aired. LOL Such is Hollywood.) CCH Pounder was incredible, I crept off to her trailer after being fitted for costume to thank her for a line that changed my life many years ago. She even took a photo of me on set with two other cast members. Pure class! Regina Taylor was amazing...I stood face to face with her and stared I'm her down (or rather, my character did.) This film opener my eyes to a stigma I had not even considered existed in the 193s, and it did it in such a way that EVERYBODY loves Cora! A definite MUST SEE!!!

Why was the film overlooked by the Emmy awards? There were so many good things about this film that deserved recognition. First of all, Ann Peacock's teleplay should not have gone unnoticed. Peacock managed to turn a 10 page short story into a 95 minute film, while keeping true to Hughes's style. The performances by Regina Taylor and Cherry Jones were top notch. The sets, costumes, hairstyling were all so good. This realy was overlooked.

It's a nice adaptation of the Langston Hughes story. Sometimes the acting may be a little stilted but overall it makes for a classic tear-jerker. I don't want to give too much away but it's interesting how it's relevant these days with the abortion debate still raging on. Overall it's a very good effort for a TV film.