Native Son

The film makers haven't listened to Wright. They appear to have been aiming at the same genteel audience that insists on seeing something sentimental and upbeat even in a television movie-of-the-week about AIDS.

The movie understands that the story really is about the killer's point of view. It is not the story of a crime, not a docudrama, not a sociological essay.

Unfortunately, drama translates as melodrama and speechy, preachy dialogue tells us we're watching something that's good for us.

Transforms the novel into an all-too-genteel crime story, denuded of rage, devoid of social and historic context.

Freedman presents the plot of the novel without seeming to understand or respect Wright’s purpose.

Ultimately, the film fails because of Silver's fears of offending the audience, the same fear that Wright himself faced and overcame.

Well-intended but deadly dull