A Warm December

Thanks to the TV1 Network, I had the opportunity to see this fantastic film. I absolutely loved it! It was a quaint and refreshing break from the norm. It is one that I would love to add to my collection so that I might share this gem with friends and family. In the 70's when the film was released, I was merely a twinkle in my parents eyes but oh how I have come to love and appreciate Sydney Poitier as an outstanding actor. I've had the privilege of experiencing, "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner," "A Raisin in the Sun," and "Uptown Saturday Night." I look forward to delving into the treasure of Sydney Poitier classics. Thank you for a great film. It was wonderful to watch a beautiful romance unfold.

I mean Sidney,However not even he could save this film.

I first saw this film about ten years ago and was bored by the run-of-the-mill, short on chemistry " romance",despite the personal, individual attractiveness of Poitier and Anderson,who looked gorgeous in those 70s fashions and Afro hairdo.However,I just recently caught what I consider the best and most memorable part- the spellbinding, electrifying appearance of the beautiful,talented South African singer, Letta Mbulu.What a voice! It was my first introduction to South African group performance.It saves the film in my opinion.

The film does have other redeeming qualities however, such as the star quality Sidney Poitier and the striking Johnny Sekka, a Senegalese actor who in his early roles in British cinema was type cast and who fared slightly better in Hollywood.

I recall this movie when it was originally released in 1973. I was a young child,and it was a welcomed relief from the "Blaxploitation" films of the era. This movie has been one of my favorites since I first saw it. It has periodically been shown on network t.v.through the years, so I have been able to see it from time to time prior to the release of the VHS tape. This is Sidney Poitier doing what he does best. Charming, intelligent and in a romantic lead. Ester Anderson was also very beautiful and quite delightful in her role. It is a shame that her life in the cinema was so short-lived. Yvette Curtis was also charming, and went on to her next memorable role in Claudine. It would be wonderful to know where these two actresses are now!

This movie is more than just an interesting period piece; it is a beautiful love story. Sidney Poitier and Esther Anderson are both excellent in this groundbreaking movie that depicts a black couple outside the usual Hollywood stereotypes of the time. We see Poitier and his young daughter's devotion to one another, which adds an interesting highlight to the story. The movie also deals honestly with sickle cell disease, an illness that hits a disproportionate number of black people. There is one episode in particular that shows the reality of the disease they are facing together. How they deal with this adds great human interest to the movie. The dance club scene in their early courtship is great fun and the viewer feels that wonderful sense of two people falling in love. Anderson and Poitier also look superb on the set. The scenes shot near some of London's major landmarks give their passionate romance an exciting background. All in all, a very endearing movie in which Sidney Poitier directs as well as acts.