Claudine
By Lynnette Nicholas,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Mature '70s romantic drama about Black family has swearing.
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Claudine
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What's the Story?
CLAUDINE is a romantic comedy and drama that centers on Claudine Price (Diahann Carroll), a single black mother living in Harlem who's hardworking, yet living on welfare with six children. She falls in love with a garbage collector, Rupert "Roop" Marshall (James Earl Jones). The pair's relationship is complicated by their lack of financial resources, restrictions of the welfare system, and the hostility of her kids, particularly eldest son Charles (Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs), who believes that Roop will leave their mother just like her previous husbands had. Roop also has his reservations about marrying a woman with six kids and providing for them. After several hardships and debating the financial issues relating to welfare, the couple decide to marry.
Is It Any Good?
Diahann Caroll (who was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for this role) and James Earl Jones are dynamic in this romantic drama. Their genuine and realistic portrayals of the working poor allow viewers to witness love between two low-income black people and the effects of the welfare system during a time when the dynamic of the black family was polarized, all while showcasing a beautiful, hardworking mom who just wanted a better life for her kids and real love. The film depicts marginalized human beings candidly and compassionately. It depicts real people who may be pigeonholed by systemic oppression, but who still deserve the right to a better life.
The film also provides a succinct look into the welfare system in the 1970s. Claudine's predicament is that she's forced to choose between the government assistance that she receives that her family needs, and her love and desire to be with Roop. Her financial dependence on her government assistance and its restrictions against an adult male figure or spouse being in the home is a major obstacle. Different perspectives about the welfare systems are presented diplomatically. Charles, Claudine's oldest son, totally disagrees with the welfare system, because he believes that it pacifies the recipients of welfare and further enforces poverty. No matter how viewers may feel about the welfare system or those who are marginalized, the movie Claudine does a very effective job of showing the dreams, struggles, fears, frustrations, and desire to have love in a warm and dynamic way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the welfare system in America. What is welfare? How does the welfare system work? Who qualifies for welfare? How long should recipients of welfare receive it? Should those on welfare feel shame?
What defines a good mother? A good parent? What risks does Claudine take in the film on behalf of her kids? In what ways does Claudine show courage, strength, and perseverance?
In what ways does Roop show humility? Does being a garbage collector make him less than a man who makes a lot of money?
Movie Details
- In theaters: April 22, 1974
- On DVD or streaming: January 14, 2003
- Cast: Diahann Carroll , James Earl Jones , Lawrence-Hilton Jacobs
- Director: John Berry
- Inclusion Information: Black actors, Indigenous actors
- Studio: 20th Century Fox
- Genre: Romance
- Topics: Activism , Brothers and Sisters , History
- Character Strengths: Perseverance
- Run time: 92 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: Some scenes may be unsuitable for younger audiences.
- Last updated: February 27, 2022
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