Their Eyes Were Watching God

If one has not read the book _Their Eyes Were Watching God_, then the movie was probably wonderful. Unfortunately, for those who have read the book, it is obvious that the screenplay writer missed some important aspects of the book-- or for some reason chose to omit them. The plot in the movie revolves around Janie and her love affairs, however, what is most important to Janie, in the book, is feeling loved and accepted not only by a man, but her community.

Janie is a "light-skinned" African American and is treated different because of it. The book addresses a caste system that was prominent at the time that Hurston wrote the book. This important aspect of the story was not addressed in the movie. This is just one of many "aspects" that was not addressed.

On the up side, the casting is superb. Halle Berry is perfect for the part of Janie. She is beautiful and strong while being sensitive and vulnerable. Michael Ealy is a wonderful Tea Cake. What chemistry!

All in all the movie is-- OK. Hopefully, it will entice the viewers to read Zora Neale Hurston's fabulous book.

I am a Black woman and I have read Their Eyes Were Watching God many times, most recently when I learned that Oprah Winfrey and ABC were presenting the television movie. I was absolutely horrified at what I saw on Sunday. Halle Berry simply did not do justice to the character she sought to portray. Janie Crawford is a dignified, free spirited, intelligent, strong character. The portrayal presented on ABC was insulting to the memory of Zora Neale Hurston in that Berry played Janie as a flighty, promiscuous, immodest tart who went off with whatever man appealed to her at any given moment. And to add insult to injury, Suzan Lori Parks neglected to adequately address a number of the important issues raised by Ms. Hurston, specifically the issues of skin tone and class among Black folks. How could Michael Ealy possibly play Tea Cake, who Ms. Hurston wrote as a dark skinned Black man, not the perpetually sweaty, open-shirted, light-skinned, mumbling buffoon presented to us on Sunday? I watched the movie with four other Black people, two men and two women. No one had anything positive to say about the movie. I held on as long as I could, but after two hours, I had to agree with my fellow viewers: the movie was horrible. Shame on all involved who had any sort of creative control over this debacle. May Hurston haunt you until you know better.

Well, I can admit when I am wrong and I was wrong about Halle Berry's performance. Halle was incredible as the head strong Janie Crawford and Michael Ealy added some sexy sizzle to the drifter Tea Cake. I really was impressed with the chemistry Berry and Ealy had it seemed so real. Also, I loved the production from the beautiful Florida Everglades, to the rural Eatonville town. The clothing was great as well. I also must thank. Ms. Oprah Winfery for once again bringing the rich African American literature to the masses in America. Zora Neale Hurston must also be thanked for discussing the sexism, and the patriarchy that affected black women in the early 20th century. Zora's novel is not just an American classic people from all over the African Diaspora and the world thank Ms. Hurston for her work. She will never be forgotten.

Before I start I have to say that I did not read the book. I am now on the prowl to purchase the book so all I can say in response to the movie is I liked it!!! I thought that Halle did a good job with the character as the character was described to me. I do know that it is quite difficult to ever create a movie that compares to a book anytime. Thousand of people have tried and nearly all of them have failed. Having read the book before the movie automatically set the movie up for failure. Having seen the movie and heard about the book it is now making me want to read the book. So you cannot say that the movie failed that bad if myself and other people I know who saw the movie all want the book. It is also kind of harsh to say that the movie was that awful, it was a love story and that was what was portrayed. When I was done watching that movie I was in love with the characters, I did not see Halle's character as a sleep around or whatever you called her. She was set up with an old man and she left, I would have done the same thing acres of land or not. She was with her 2nd husband until the end even though she was unhappy. And then my man Michael Ealy came and that was it. Dark or light who cares, I sure did not!!! It is a movie and if you are not familiar with Hollywood looks matter, if Halle's character was supposed to have been unattractive she still would have been beautiful for the movie it is just the way it is! Also both actors did a phenomenal job and I did not know that Michael Ealy was actually that good of an actor and I think this role will help him. Now who know I may change my mind after reading the book but I doubt it for the simple fact that if it was not for this movie I would have probably never bought the book!!! You go Oprah this movie was great!!! Two thumbs up!

I didn't think this was that bad. It is a woman's story about going through a few relationships before finding love.

The film is well made with acting, camera work and pace all being consistently good. I also thought the plot was well scripted. However, I never really felt as much passion I think one would want from this sort of film.