Lost Boundaries (Alfred L. Werker, US 1949, 99 min.) is a film about a light-skinned Black American family who pass as White Americans to obtain a job and get accepted in a particular society. The father, Scott Carter played by Mel Ferrer, is a doctor who finds it easier to support his family by passing them as white. This leads to his children to grow up believing they are white, one of which even obtaining racist views. After twenty years of pretending, the truth comes out due to son and father drafting into the military.
Surprisingly Mel Ferrer, who plays the main character, and Beatrice Pearson, the character's wife, are racially white. In today's standards it is shocking the black characters are acted out by white actors. On one side a group could be offend but on the other hand, keeping in mind the situation of the time, the movie wouldn't have gone far with black actors. I think for it's time the movie could have been very affected. It discussed a major civil and political issue. During the release date the topics of racism had not so blatantly appeared in much entertainment. I wonder what the general reaction was. I can see the possibility of both white and black racism approving of the film's message and viewing it as educational. At the same time I can see both races being offended by the material.
I felt the movie held a level of entertainment even if it the overall film came off as shallow. The message was deep but the writing and acting was lacking. I wasn't pleased or displeased when it finished, meaning it left me unmoved. I would still suggest seeing the film for the historical aspect it provides to Film and Film History.
Surprisingly Mel Ferrer, who plays the main character, and Beatrice Pearson, the character's wife, are racially white. In today's standards it is shocking the black characters are acted out by white actors. On one side a group could be offend but on the other hand, keeping in mind the situation of the time, the movie wouldn't have gone far with black actors. I think for it's time the movie could have been very affected. It discussed a major civil and political issue. During the release date the topics of racism had not so blatantly appeared in much entertainment. I wonder what the general reaction was. I can see the possibility of both white and black racism approving of the film's message and viewing it as educational. At the same time I can see both races being offended by the material.
I felt the movie held a level of entertainment even if it the overall film came off as shallow. The message was deep but the writing and acting was lacking. I wasn't pleased or displeased when it finished, meaning it left me unmoved. I would still suggest seeing the film for the historical aspect it provides to Film and Film History.