Sometimes the hardest battles are fought in silence, and nowhere is that truer than in Jessie Maple’s 1981 drama Will. This film didn’t just put a spotlight on heroin addiction; it shone a glaring beam on the raw grit and complexity of a man clawing his way back from the abyss, all while navigating the delicate ecosystem of family and community.
Watching Obaka Adedunyo’s portrayal of Will, a former basketball star wrestling with withdrawal and personal demons, reminds me that “the toughest climbs reveal the strongest souls.”
It’s not just a film about addiction; it’s a portrait of resilience, hope, and the wrenching tension between self-reliance and reaching out for help. Loretta Devine’s debut as Jean, Will’s wife, grounds the story with warmth and realism. Years later, seeing where these actors landed in Hollywood feels like witnessing the echo of that original fight, the struggle to be seen, heard, and remembered.
Will (1981): Grit, grace, and where Loretta Devine and the cast are now
Reportedly shot on a shoestring budget of $12,000, Will is gritty, unpolished, and unapologetically real. Set in Harlem, the film shows heroin addiction without the sugarcoating Hollywood often drapes over such stories. Obaka Adedunyo’s performance carries the weight of a man who’s both fighting himself and the world.
Helmed by Jessie Maple, the film doesn’t shy away from graphic realities, including scenes of drug use that are visceral and unsettling. It challenges the romanticized myths of addiction and recovery, painting instead a landscape of relentless struggle and flickers of hope.
Now the biggest question: What are its actors doing right now?
Loretta Devine, who plays Jean, was unknown when the cameras rolled. Rehearsing for the Broadway opening of Dreamgirls, she took this small but powerful role for $500. Little did anyone know, this debut was the first step in a stellar career.
Devine blossomed into one of Hollywood’s most respected actresses, with credits like Waiting to Exhale, For Colored Girls, and the Emmy-winning stint on Grey’s Anatomy. Most recently, she appeared in Doctor Odyssey, showing her remarkable range and staying power in an industry that often forgets its pioneers.
Where is Obaka Adedunyo: The lead actor of Will
According to his IMDb page, Obaka Adedunyo was born in 1937 and brought a rare authenticity to Will. Though his filmography includes titles like Nighthawks and Best Seller, it was Will that remains his defining work, a testament to his dedication and talent.
His death in 2022 in Palm Springs closed a chapter on a career marked more by depth than by fame. There’s something poignant about an actor who gave his all to a story about fighting internal demons, only to pass quietly.
In 2024, the Library of Congress deemed Will “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” enshrining it in the National Film Registry. This recognition is no surprise to those who have seen it; the film’s rough realism and philosophical heart make it a beacon for understanding addiction, community, and redemption.
The 4K restoration has breathed new life into this independent masterpiece, inviting new audiences to wrestle with its questions: Can one truly kick addiction alone? What role does the community play when the individual is crumbling? Does hope live at the end of pain or alongside it? Will doesn’t offer neat answers. Instead, it holds a mirror up to human complexity, and that’s its real power.
Will is a challenging, sobering film with rough edges but an undeniable heart. Its historical significance and raw performances outweigh its low-budget limitations. If you want to see addiction portrayed without sugarcoating and meet characters fighting for their souls, this film is a must-watch.
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