Reviews

I remember when I first saw this and thought this is the piece that will re-energize Diana Ross' acting career. An argument can be made that it is her best acting performance ever! even better than "Lady". For the simple reason is that there was no singing, or music for that matter in this film. Diana had to draw on other things to pull this off. And pull it off she did.. Why she didn't receive major accolades for this role is perplexing. Also this made for t.v movie has been locked in a vault somewhere for the last decade. I can't recall ever seeing this replayed again on t.v. The subject matter is very serious and reaches millions of people. It was handle well and with integrity. And the lead performance was as strong as any seen on the small screen.. So why has this performance and film been socio overlooked over the years? Very disappointing...

My initial viewing of this was somewhat lackluster.. Yes I thought it was a good movie, but Oscar winner? Then I saw it a second time and suddenly, like someone turned on a light, I go it! My revelation manifested itself in the performance of Mary Tyler Moore. My first viewing left me wondering what the big deal was about her in this movie.. My second viewing found a wonderful performance that in my opinion certified her entire career.. I thought she was that good! Her cold and distant demeanor engrossed the screen whenever she was on it.. Does this woman have a pulse? does she have blood running through her vines? This movie is a dark journey into the heart and soul of dysfunctional family USA... So many can relate to the emotions that were flowing through this family.. The setting may change but those feelings are universal...

I haven't seen this movie since its first release, but the mere mention of it still gives me chills.. Not just for the subject matter, which on its own is deep and haunting.. But for the greatest performance ever seen by an actor.. Meryl Streep has since proved she is probably the greatest actress in cinema, and her portrayal of Sophie will be all that will be needed to certify that assertion... She has done brilliant work since then, and of course there are some who deserve to be mentioned in the same breath with her, but her body of work cannot possibly be out-done. And Sophie's Choice is her signature piece.. Her effortless tackling of complex languages with such ease and clarity was a jaw-dropper. Streep changed the ballgame with this gem. The bar was raised so high for her generation that it became crystal clear that no one would ever come close... And now over twenty years since its release it is safe to say.. No one ever did...

Listen, anyone who knows anything about film, knows the greatness of All About Eve. The direction and script and acting are top 5 all time, no doubt! The testament of this is the number of Oscar-caliber performances that drenches this film. Davis, Baxter, and Sanders have always gotten their due accolades. All three gave all-time great performances.. But look closer... If Celeste Holm walked away with a best supporting actress Oscar would anyone bat an eyelash. Thelma Ritter steals every scene she's in! that's saying something in this movie. Marilyn Monroe lit the screen like a firecracker. And let us not forget Gary Merril's performance in this movie. If George Sanders wasn't a lock, Merril would've been deserving of Oscar consideration...How many films can you think of that was overflowing with performances like this. When that occurs every scene in the film is a battle of the titans. This is one of the very best the cinematic world has ever offered...

The only thing in this movie to mock is the direction! This movie should've been lighter, brighter, more uplifting, like a southern gospel church on Sunday morning! Instead it was gloomy, dasrk, and destitute.. That is the fault of the director. Scripts? in musicals are not the focal point. It is the imagery, the scenery and the MUSIC.. How can music with the best writers, producers, and performers of the time be bad? Answer: it can't be. Was Diana Ross miscasts? after Lady Sings the Blues, probably.. But those who have harped on this have badly missed the point. She wasn't playing teenage Dorothy, she was playing 24yr old school teacher Dorothy, that was not that great a stretch. As for her singing that some have criticized in this movie.. Well, her vocal performances on this soundtrack are some of her best ever! and would've been hard to top by anyone at the time.. (see."be a lion/Home/can I go on/brand new day).. The Wiz is not nearly as bad as many would lead you to believe.. Yes it is too long, and very dark... but the music saves it!!

I never quite understood the backlash this movie has received over the years. It amazes me when people always seek perfection. This movie is not perfect. But lets applaud what it does provide. A dynamic debut performance by Diana Ross, a memorable supporting performance by a young Richard Pryor. Great music and score by Michel Legrand. Great wardrobe worn by Ross in this movie.

Any good film is made up of a few really good scenes. I can easily count 5 or 6 excellent scenes in this movie. #1-opening scene where they put a straight jacket on Ross and through her in a padded cell. #2-When she first lays eyes on Billy Dee and is carried out of the nightclub. #3- The "Good morning Heartache" scene at her birthday party at the club #4-The scene where she attacks Billy Dee in the bathroom, because he won't give her her dope #5- When Piano man is beaten to death #6-When she gets the call that her mother died,while she was in the middle of getting a fix..I COULD go on. People who dismiss this film for being standard Hollywood fare are really not doing this film justice. There is really nothing standard about it. It depicted several stages of the life of Lady Day..And as we know her life was anything but standard fare...