Free of Eden

Free of Eden is a 1998 made-for-television drama film, directed by Leon Ichaso and starring a trio of accomplished actors: Sidney Poitier, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, and Phylicia Rashad. The movie explores racial tensions and the struggle for equality in the United States through the story of a young woman seeking to escape her troubled past.

The film follows the story of Lilia Mae Robinson (played by Sydney Tamiia Poitier), a young girl who grows up in poverty in the deep South. When her mother dies, Lilia is forced to live with her abusive father, who torments her both physically and emotionally. As she approaches adulthood, Lilia realizes that the only way to survive is to find a way out of her intolerable situation.

Lilia decides to leave her father and sets out for New York City in search of a better life. Along the way, she meets a kind and compassionate man named Cicero (played by Sidney Poitier), who takes her under his wing and becomes her mentor. Cicero is a former slave who has found success as a businessman, and he offers Lilia the chance to work for him and learn from him.

Lilia's life takes a turn for the better as she begins to work for Cicero and learns the ropes of his business. However, tensions soon arise when Lilia falls in love with Cicero's son, Judson (played by Blair Underwood), who is black. Cicero is vehemently opposed to their relationship, and Lilia must navigate this difficult and dangerous situation as she tries to forge a new life for herself.

Meanwhile, Cicero himself faces his own struggles as he battles racial discrimination and oppression. He is a successful businessman, but he is constantly subjected to racism and prejudice, and he begins to feel disillusioned with the American dream. Throughout the film, we see Cicero struggle to reconcile his past as a slave with his present as a successful businessman, and ultimately come to a place of acceptance and empowerment.

Phylicia Rashad plays the role of Mrs. Brown, Cicero's longtime housekeeper, who becomes a maternal figure to Lilia. Mrs. Brown is a strong and supportive character, and she provides some much-needed stability and guidance to Lilia as she navigates the complexities of her new life.

Overall, Free of Eden is a powerful and thought-provoking film that tackles issues of race, identity, and belonging in a nuanced and compassionate way. It features stellar performances by a talented cast, and explores some of the timeless themes that continue to shape American society today.