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Poster for The Watermelon Woman

The Watermelon Woman

Seen it?

1997 | 85 min | Drama, Comedy, Romance

Sunday Safe Betearly rating

Why it’s a Sunday Safe Bet

Critics loved it (92% on Rotten Tomatoes), though it had soft box office. A safe bet when you want something reliable.

Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.

Is it for you?

Who'll love it
Made for romantics and anyone who wants a laugh. If you loved The Philadelphia Story or Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret., start here. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
The mood
Funny with heart, romantic.
The pace
Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 25 min.
What might put you off
Audiences were cooler on it than critics.

A young black lesbian filmmaker probes into the life of The Watermelon Woman, a 1930s black actress who played 'mammy' archetypes.

How it earned its rating

  • CriticsVery strong

    92% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic

  • AudiencesSolid

    7.0 out of 10

  • AwardsWeak

    1 win and 0 nominations from smaller awards and festivals

  • Box office & staying powerBelow par

    $300K worldwide; still draws a steady audience long after release

  • Buzz & cultural impactSolid

    About 81K people sought it out in the past year

Trailer

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Cast & crew

Directed by Cheryl Dunye

  • Cheryl DunyeCheryl
  • Guinevere TurnerDiana
  • Valarie WalkerTamara
  • Lisa Marie BronsonFae "The Watermelon Woman" Richards
  • Cheryl ClarkeJune Walker
  • Irene DunyeSelf
  • Brian FreemanLee Edwards
  • Ira JeffriesShirley Hamilton
  • Alexandra JuhaszMartha Page
  • Camille PagliaSelf