Approved for 12+

The Sky is Gray

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 1940s. James, the boy in question, has a raging toothache that necessitates a trip to the dentist. His mother (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.
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Negative Rating
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SexLanguageViolenceDrugsNudityOther
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Positive Rating
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FaithIntegrity

Dove Review

In 1940 there was still a lot of segregation and racism in this country. When a young boy has a toothache, his hard-working mother, who works in the fields, takes him to town to see the dentist. The trip is an awakening for young James.

This is a story about hard times in this land. It was an era when there was a lot of divide between races and cultures, bringing the realistic story of hard times for those in poverty. It is a classic American short story. We award this tale with the Dove “Family-Approved” Seal for ages 12+.

Dove Rating Details

0
Faith

None

0
Integrity

Woman kills bird with fork, then makes young boy do the same; woman slaps young boy; minister slaps young man twice because of his comments; sounds of people screaming in dentist office; woman threatens to gut a man with a knife.

1
Sex

Man makes a sexual pass at woman while dancing.

1
Language

Father, Son & Holy Spirit and Jesus is used in a prayer.

2
Violence

Woman kills bird with fork, then makes young boy do the same; woman slaps young boy; minister slaps young man twice because of his comments; sounds of people screaming in dentist office; woman threatens to gut a man with a knife.

1
Drugs

Young boy is told to take aspirin for his tooth; sign in café reading "Original Aged Dated Beer."

0
Nudity

None

2
Other

Discussion about believing and not believing in God; remarks about only believing what others tell you to be true.

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