The Color of Friendship

I thought that this was a really good movie that teaches a lot about what went on back then. I am reading a book called Cry, The Beloved Country in school right now and this is exactly what it is dealing with. All the law and acts that were passed in South Africa. This movie I think takes a pretty realistic look at all the problems South Africa had. And to have a white girl from South Africa was a good idea. It shows that not ALL white people were the same. She was pretty open minded and I think that this movie should be shown to anyone is studying/learning about the trials in South Africa. (Apartheid)

I went in with low expectations for this TV movie being a Disney channel original movie.But Disney Channel did it right on this.The cast was flawless and Luren Haun who plays Mahree Bok does a convincing accent and fits the part well.It is a touching story that uses historical fact.This movie was picture perfect!

Saw it for the second time tonight. Black American family hosts a South African exchange student. They expect her to be black, she expects them to be white. All are surprised at the airport meeting. Father is a congressman in Washington, exchange student, played competently by a real California girl, become friends with host daughter. They both learn about each country's strange ways. We expect that the girl will have an enlightened view of race relations as she returns to South Africa and becomes an adult. We chip away, a bit at a time.

Father at first wants to send her home, by the end has bonded with white girl, even rescues her from an improper seizure done by South African embassy officials without permission. He threatens to claim "kidnapping" if they don't relent.

The whole film kept my interest and was for the most part well done. I give it a solid "7" of 10 rating, for a combination of good message and entertainment.

This is a Disney channel origanel, but it's very good. This movie can be understood and liked by kids but not be boring for adults. It contains a very strong message that even young children can appreciate. Mahree and Piper are acted superbly by Lindsey Haun and Shadia Simmons. I highly recomend it if you like very strong films. (The costumes are great and so is the music!)

Based on a true story, The Color Of Friendship centers on Piper Dellums, the daughter of Congressman Ron Dellums and her experience hosting a Caucasian South African girl in 1977. The film is unlike most children's TV movies (and most DCOMS of the decade) due to the high educational value. The film showcases the very real effects of South African apartheid and its influence on attitudes towards racism in South Africa in contrast to the relative freedoms of the US. Mari, through her worldviews, sees African Americans as second class, clashing with the Dellums, who no doubt still feel the emotional scars of racism. Tension eventually gives way to friendship and the realization that racism is not only useless but immoral. Overall,the movie succeeds in its goals to foster understanding and race relation in a way that is not heavy-handed or preachy.