This is a sadly forgotten movie. Wiki said Patch of Blue was the most financially successful of any of Poitier's films. Shelley Winters got her second Oscar for this as sort of a white version of Mo'Nique's character from Precious. Elizabeth Hartman gives a lovely performance as a blind girl who falls in love with Poitier. Winters says the n word and clearly isn't comfortable saying it yet still got an Oscar. This scene is also reminiscent of Precious as Hartman relates her rape by one of Winters' boyfriends and how Winters never forgave her for it.
I've always loved this movie. My parents took me to see it when it came out. Yes, I'm old.
| by Anonymous | reply 1 | August 30, 2024 9:28 PM |
Elizabeth was too fragile for this world.
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | August 30, 2024 9:33 PM |
Love this movie.
| by Anonymous | reply 4 | August 30, 2024 11:31 PM |
I saw the movie as a kid and only when I saw it later did I understand that Winters was going to force her daughter into prostitution.
The chemistry between Poitier and Hartman is amazing. Despite the bleakness, the love story is tender and moving. Although the blind girl/black guy story is cliche, it's by far my favorite Poitier movie. Unlike Guess Who's Coming To Dinner, he's just a simple, hardworking man and very relatable. Pauline Kael said that Sissy Spacek's Carrie was reminiscent of Hartman in this movie.
| by Anonymous | reply 5 | August 30, 2024 11:55 PM |
Hartman could wear a pair of sunglasses with more style than Jackie O. Love the outdoor scenes in the park when she first meets Poitier.
| by Anonymous | reply 6 | August 31, 2024 12:16 AM |
Did Shelley deserve both her Oscars?
| by Anonymous | reply 8 | August 31, 2024 12:27 AM |
My mom took me to see it in the movies when I was a little kid. I still remember that day.
| by Anonymous | reply 9 | August 31, 2024 12:55 AM |
R9 was it a good day? I love how some days just standout no matter how much comes afterwards
| by Anonymous | reply 10 | August 31, 2024 12:57 AM |
CBS Friday Night Late Movie. My sister is blind. That movie was empowering.
| by Anonymous | reply 11 | August 31, 2024 1:00 AM |
Great film. I read somewhere that Elizabeth’s role in THE GROUP helped to push her to the brink…
| by Anonymous | reply 12 | August 31, 2024 1:02 AM |
R2, that’s the best description I ever read about Elizabeth Hartman’s life.
| by Anonymous | reply 13 | August 31, 2024 1:29 AM |
[quote]I read somewhere that Elizabeth’s role in THE GROUP helped to push her to the brink…
I wonder why, r12.
| by Anonymous | reply 14 | August 31, 2024 1:34 AM |
Shelley Winters was brilliant; she made her character so terrifying real.
| by Anonymous | reply 15 | August 31, 2024 1:34 AM |
A very realistic depiction of the depravity of the alcoholic family, it reminds me of my childhood. Wallace Ford was awesome as old pa. Love when he puts his choppers in.
| by Anonymous | reply 16 | August 31, 2024 7:54 PM |