MR POITIER: THE MAN, MYTH AND LEGEND
When I was a kid, my mum and I had a ritual that, after school, we would watch the afternoon movie at 3pm sharp. I recall one day in particular mum was more excited than usual because the film showing was Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner starring one of her favourite actors, Sidney Poitier.
I watched intently as the issue of inter-racial marriage was tackled as the very black Sidney was introduced to his very white fiancée’s parents. Surprise! To be honest, it was a bit confusing. But somehow the smooth, sophisticated Sidney (as the dinner guest in question) made it easier to understand. Little did I know that making things easier was what Sidney Poitier did best.
Even today, race is a tricky topic. So imagine 60 years ago a black man as the lead in a mainstream movie! But there had to be a first and Mr Poitier made it look easy.
Tall, handsome and with a velvety voice that could melt butter, he projected an image of virility, class and humility that made him one of the biggest stars of his generation, even winning an Academy Award for Best Lead Actor, a first for a person of colour. But with his fame, of course, came criticism.
The 1960s were a turbulent time: tensions over civil rights were at a fever pitch and Poitier found himself at odds with his own community. Attacked for “playing it safe”, being “too perfect” and not being “black enough”, Poitier felt the sting deeply. Later in his career, as his brand of sophistication fell out of favour, he acknowledged his choice of roles was carefully cultivated, that paving the road for those following in his path had many bumps he gladly weathered, no matter the cost.
Sidney Poitier left us a slew of timeless treasures, which are still surprisingly moving today. I dare you not to cheer (or shed a tear) watching To Sir, With Love, A Patch of Blue or
In the Heat of the Night. Sidney Poitier: they really don’t make movie stars like him anymore. God bless you, sir.
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