Good Movies Go Beyond Race

Films such as “Independence Day,” “Space Jam,” “A Time to Kill” and “The Nutty Professor” have shown the “suits” at the Hollywood studios that black performers can deliver a movie with “crossover” appeal. But let’s not uncork the champagne just yet.

In 1996, unfortunately, the question remains: What happens when an all-black picture is produced with a budget of over $60 million--and with no white characters? Will whites flock to see such a production in sufficient numbers to grab Hollywood’s attention? (“Praying for Crossover Appeal,” Calendar, Dec. 11).

Disney’s “The Preacher’s Wife,” which opened over the weekend, may give us some answers to that question. A remake of the classic 1947 Cary Grant-Loretta Young film “The Bishop’s Wife”--this version starring Denzel Washington as an angel and Whitney Houston in the title role--the new film has all the ingredients for a box-office slam dunk.

Given the film’s racial dynamic and the present climate in this country, however, I am concerned about its commercial long-term prospects.

The struggle to eradicate racism in the entertainment business goes on, although significant progress has been made. Mainstream America has accepted black athletes running up and down a court, making a hole-in-one or winning a large share of the medals at the Summer Olympic Games.

The contributions of black musical artists also continue to be profound. Darker skin, textured hair and fuller features also are redefining beauty in commercial advertising, and opportunities for African Americans and other minorities on television (especially cable) are increasing as well.

*

Movies like “House Party,” “Boyz N the Hood,” “Waiting to Exhale,” “A Thin Line” and “Set It Off,” showcasing black casts and directors, have proven successful critically and financially. But, with the exception of “Exhale,” they’ve all been done with relatively small budgets. In fact, many African American filmmakers and critics passionately contend that white audiences would support black films more if studio executives loosened their purse strings and spent additional money to enhance the quality and marketing of these projects.

Disney, which has come under criticism in the past for its hiring and advancement opportunities for minorities, deserves credit for taking the lead in this instance. The question now is whether the rest of us can come to terms with our own bigotry and begin to truly appreciate our differences, and whether we can recognize that certain things in life, like great storytelling, transcend issues of race. The success of “The Preacher’s Wife” will give us a small clue.

Waging war on the ghost of racism past is going to take a lot of work and maybe even a little prayer, more even than an angel, a preacher and his wife can offer. But if some of us can take that leap of faith, who knows? We may just end up sitting side by side at a local theater, sharing a box of popcorn and watching a really good movie like “The Preacher’s Wife.” In the spirit of the holiday season, that’s a gift worth its weight in gold. And box-office gold isn’t bad, either.