
From Ernest J. Gaines, author of "The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman," comes a deceptively simple, yet emotionally complex tale of a young boy's discovery of what it's like to be black in Louisiana during the 1940's. James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (played by Emmy-winner Olivia Cole), accompanies James to town on an eye-opening odyssey where the boy gains valuable insights into poverty, racism - and his own sense of pride. With an exciting musical score by Webster Lewis, this multi-award winning film explores a child's discovery that the world is a complicated place... where things are never truly black or white... only shades of gray.

Olivia Cole
Octavia
James Bond III
James

Margaret Avery
Rosemary

Cleavon Little
Monsieur Bayonne
Chez Lister
Ty
Susan French
Helena

Clinton Derricks-Carroll
Student

Hal Williams
Preacher
Roberta Jean Williams
Young Lady
Hilda Haynes
Woman
Lynn Arden
Nurse
Reuben Collins
Pimp

Beverly Johnson
John Lee's Mother
Kenneth Johnson
John Lee Williams

Macon McCalman
Ernest