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Sidney
By Monique Jones,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Inspiring doc on acting legend's life has violence, cursing.
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Sidney
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What's the Story?
SIDNEY recounts, in actor Sidney Poitier's own words, his life, from childhood to old age. He talks about his stellar acting career and activism, as well as how he sees his legacy helping uplift those who've come after him. People who have been influenced by Poitier's life are also interviewed, including his family and celebrities including Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington, and more.
Is It Any Good?
For fans of Poitier's work, the documentary provides an intimate look at why he chose (or didn't choose) certain roles -- and why he decided to use his career for activism. Overall, Sidney humanizes Poitier, who's often thought of as more of an institution than a man. But here we learn more about what really makes Poitier tick, including his relationship with his parents, his recollections of his personal failings in his romantic relationships, and his overall striving to become a better person each day than he was the day before.
That drive shows in his work as well as in his personal relationships with his daughters and friends. At the end of the day, Sidney shows that Poitier is a role model through and through: Not only has he always done his best to uplift Black people in film, but he's also always working to uphold the values that his parents instilled in him.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Poitier's impact on the world. How did his career affect Hollywood -- and society?
In what ways did Poitier use his celebrity status for activism? Can you think of other actors who've done the same?
What were Poitier's personal values? How did he try to uphold those values? Did he always succeed?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: September 23, 2022
- Cast: Sidney Poitier , Spike Lee , Denzel Washington , Halle Berry , Morgan Freeman
- Director: Reginald Hudlin
- Inclusion Information: Black directors, Black actors, Female actors
- Studio: Apple TV+
- Genre: Documentary
- Topics: Friendship , Great Boy Role Models , History
- Character Strengths: Compassion , Courage , Empathy , Gratitude , Humility , Integrity , Perseverance
- Run time: 111 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: February 17, 2023
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