Show Up At ‘The Wedding’ For Drama
Oprah Winfrey’s “Presents” movie series, which grabbed critical acclaim recently with “Before Women Had Wings,” returns with another powerhouse movie “The Wedding,” ABC Sunday and Monday at 9.
The movie is based on Dorothy West’s novel, and the focus is on a family torn apart by racism. At the core of this story is Corinne Cole (Lynn Whitfield), the daughter of a white mother and black father. The tale is set on Martha’s Vineyard in the early 1950s.
Corinne is a snob who harbors dislike for dark-skinned blacks, middle-class whites and the nouveau riche - both black and white. Whitfield gives her high-and-mighty character enough vulnerability to allow the viewer to accept her eventual redemption. The redemption happens long after she wreaks havoc in the lives of her doctor-husband (Michael Warren), two daughters (Halle Berry and Cynda Williams) and grandmother (Shirley Knight).
One of the daughters (Williams) has been shunned by Corinne for running away to marry a doctor (Richard Brooks) who isn’t from the right social class. Corinne’s other daughter, Shelby (Berry), is about to marry a white working-class musician (Eric Thal). Again, someone unacceptable to Corinne.
Corinne’s attitude toward money, blacks and whites causes Shelby to doubt her own convictions and places her in the arms of another man (Carl Lumbly). He, too, is unsuitable in her mother’s eyes.
The Coles are a complicated family full of complex characters. Flashbacks help explain their history. The movie delivers the unexpected and, at times, is as exciting as the Olympics’ Alpine events.
Highlights
“Winter Olympics,” CBS today at 10 a.m. and tonight at 7 and 11:35 p.m.; TNT today at 3 p.m.: CBS plans to show exhibition figure skating by the medal winners. Also men’s slalom, four-man bobsled and speedskating. TNT has speedskating, Nordic combined and biathlon.
On Sunday, CBS starts its reports at 9 a.m. with a recap on the men’s and women’s ice hockey. At 12:30 p.m., cross-country skiing is covered. At 8 p.m., the closing ceremonies commence with the ceremonial passing of the flag from the mayor of Nagano to the mayor of Salt Lake City, where the 2002 games are scheduled. CBS offers a recap at 11:35 p.m.
“America’s Most Wanted,” FOX tonight at 9: An update on the investigation into the murder of tiny Colorado beauty queen JonBenet Ramsey.
“Simpsons,” FOX Sunday at 8: Can you guess the voices? Jay Leno, Janeane Garofalo, Bobcat Goldthwait and Steven Wright lend their voices to this half-hour about Krusty losing his ability to be funny.
While on the subject of guest voices. Check out Chris Rock on “King of the Hill” (FOX Sunday at 8:30). He’s a hoot as a traffic-school instructor with an edge who throws Hank into overdrive.
“Crimson Tide” (1995), NBC Sunday at 8:30: Suspense on a nuclear sub. Gene Hackman and Denzel Washington are Navy officers who clash over an unconfirmed order to launch a missile attack on Russia.