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
as Octavia
James Bond III
as James
Margaret Avery
as Rosemary
Cleavon Little
as Monsieur Bayonne
Chez Lister
as Ty
Susan French
as Helena
Clinton Derricks-Carroll
as Student
Hal Williams
as Preacher
Roberta Jean Williams
as Young Lady
Hilda Haynes
as Woman
Lynn Arden
as Nurse
Reuben Collins
as Pimp
