the autobiography on which this movie be base remain one of the most heart rend book i have ever read . it tell the amazing story of two sister and both who earn devotion and respect work well into their 70 a a teacher and a dentist and then live another 30 year with dignity . ruby dee steal the film with her perfectly nuanced performance a the rebellious blacker bessie and the dentist . she not only express her anger and angst and and wisdom well while she let you know exactly where they have come from use an economy of word . diahnn carroll have the feel of the old sister and the teacher and down perfectly and but i be afraid she never make me believe that she over 100. no matter the story be well worth tell . amy madigan be a bit too extreme and intrusive in act overwhelmed and insecure in the first half of the movie a the caucasian ny time reporter . this and too and be only a minor distraction . the story and all true and be the attraction and although two or three get slightly damage in the translation and most of them make it through just fine . i recommend the book a essential reading to all people i recommend any book to . i can not quite but this tv movie in that rarefy air and but it certainly capture enough of the flavor to be highly worthwhile in it own right .