the sky is literally gray

After watching the film version of "The Sky is Gray" I would have to say that is is probably the most literal adaptation and also for me the most disappointing. When I read the story I felt a stronger connection with the characters and the their struggle. The verbatim film took away that connection. The movie felt like a two dimensional story about the hardships of the segregated south. Racism is a serious issue addressed in the story but it's one of many serious issue's. The story addresses poverty, women's rights, and religion. the movie brings these issues up but not in the way the story does, from the point of view of James, the eight year old being taught how to be a man. The movie felt more like a "back in my day..." tale from a grandparent. The story Ernest Gaines wrote was real. Gaines made me relate to the weight and severity of this family's decisions. The movie shows the hard life and choices this family makes, but not having James narrate the story looses some of the realism. His not understanding a grown up world makes Ernest Gaines story authentic, the movie is recycled sentiment. The story is what teaches, the movie though faithful in its interpretation, loses its authenticity.