Runaway Island

This is where black cinema should be. It took me a while to get to this on my DVR, because I thought it was just another TV One movie hastily put together and thrown out at its audience. However, when I sat down and watched it, I was truly impressed for a number of reasons. One, it does not provide the stereotypical representations of black Americans that we so often find in movies directed to our audience. We have character from all aspects of life and seeing them together and to digest their social and cultural conflicts was riveting. It also raised the bar for the black television movie. Too often we get poorly covered versions of Lifetime or Hallmark movies with an all black cast in an urban or downtrodden setting. With Runaway Island we have something that not only stands besides those movies, but rises above them. The characters are vivid and diverse. The story engaging (although the left turn of the owners going into hiding was an unwelcome distraction, would have liked to see more of the relationship of this couple on screen.) Even the conclusion of the various stories was wholly satisfying (despite the predictability of the minister's story.) No one can deny the impact of the the minister's scene on the audience. Powerfully written and honest. I'm surprised this was not made into a feature film. Finally, a black television movie I can recommend to all my friends, regardless of their ethnic and cultural background. Can we get a sequel? I would love to see more of how Runaway Island affects the lives of a new set of visitors.