Loretta Devine as Lena Younger

Loretta Devine's character in the film, "This Christmas" as Ma-dere is very similar to Lena Younger's character in "A Raisin in the Sun." In the film Loretta is the rock of the family who is religious and had morals. Her husband is also deceased in the film. There is this one scene in the film that is very similar to a scene in the play. In the film, Loretta Devine slaps her son because he raises his voice at her and in the play, Lena Younger (Mama) slaps Beneatha because she says that she does not believe in God. They both get slapped because they disrespected their mother. Their goal is to make sure that their family is happy and brought together. In other words, both Loretta and Lena wanted their families to grow. Therefore, Loretta Devine would best fit Lena Younger's role in "A Raisin in the Sun."