Mahogany (1976)

You know those movies that seemed really, really awesome when you were a teenager? Then, when you saw them again as a adult, you recognized them for the romantic dreck they always were? Mahogany exemplifies the breed. Made in 1975, Mahogany is mired in tedious melodrama that is not enhanced by a predictable and sexist ending. Diana Ross, a poverty-stricken young woman, pulls herself up by her camisole straps until she is at the top of the fashion world. Along the way she meets terrible people who want to use her. They break her heart. She has trouble bouncing back. One of those troubled people who seem to flock to Ross's unstable character is a deranged photographer, played with wild abandonment by Anthony Perkins. His psychotic performance gives this film its only energy. Ross remains unfulfilled until she finds love with inappropriate Billy Dee Williams, who shows none of his usual charisma. --Rochelle O'Gorman Amazon.com

1975

A mid-70s time capsule for urban chic. Sometimes I felt like I was stepping into the cover art of a Miles Davis album cover. Sometimes not. Diana Ross.. who better to demonstrate 70s 'cool' (or at least 'the look')? Italy makes a great backdrop as well. I enjoyed the scenes of her when she wasn't with her goofy politician boyfriend (aka 'Lando Calrissian). Anthony Perkins was not bad as the photographer, even has some likable moments as a character, though you always have the feeling he's about to go psycho. Four stars may be a little high for this film. It's way schmaltzy, and the acting occasionally leaves a little to be desired, but the story keeps moving and I found the subject of photography interesting in addition to a mid-70s Diana Ross in Rome. As a movie, it tries to be more than it is - is success more important than love? In Lando Calrissian's view, success means nothing if you don't have anyone to share it with. As Tracy (Diana Ross) does begin to 'make it' she suddenly finds herself "empty" - an interesting theme - problem is I didn't really buy it. I didn't beleive Lando's words and personage could have such effect on her, as in reality she seemed too wrapped up in herself - her world, her fashion designs, her fame - for me to beleive she cared about him. And her 'awakening to the truth' seemed less than beleivable. Actually this movie had it's too predictable and annoying moments as well, but I didn't regret seeing it though I probably should have given it 3 stars. November 19, 2008

a great guilty pleasure

try as i may, i cannot warm to diana ross' film debut as billie holiday in 'lady sings the blues'. her nervy, jittery energy leaves only when she sings the songs, which she does very well. and nothing except that music helps her find her way back to the 1930s and 1940s.

but her contemporary self finds a great home in her next film 'mahagony'. the first third of the film, the part that tony richardson was responsible for, is tight! it's a great set-up for a good hollywood-style romantic dramedy. ross' tracy is the consummate ambitious career girl and her swain brian is a fabulous foil for her in the body of the very sexy billy dee williams. it is easy to compare them to crawford and gable. the banter, his moustache and her wild and crazy clothes make the comparison that much easier.

not to mention, the first scenes featuring anthony perkins as sean, the photographer that discovers tracy and turns her in to a 1970s supermodel. had they let perkins stay gay, instead letting him go sexually frustrated and loony like he does, this film could have been another 'darling' and perkins could have maybe gotten away from his mold of playing maladjusted crazies.

many actors in the cast in smaller roles like nina foch, marisa mell and beah richards deserve so much more too because they give so much in the little bit of role they do have. but they're there and that's something.

sadly when the film reunites tracy with brian does it lose its heart and energy--save the restaurant scene. that's funny!

after this, ross gets arch and mannered, not to mention shrill. jean-pierre aumont is a sleepwalking disappointment as her italian(maybe)lover and benefactor. williams does a little sleepwalking too. and for that, it's hard to figure out why they're even brought back together. because black people needed a happy ending to a movie? i have a feeling our community would have seen this movie no matter what the ending.

because no matter how i may feel now with my highfalutin opining, i loved the film when it came out. i loved the clothes, the montages, ross' manic onscreen persona and the use of chicago as a backdrop. i know this is what turned my on to movies as much as sunday movie greats on channel nine in chicago. and man was i disappointed when 'theme from mahagony' lost the academy award. all of black america heaved a collective sob on that one. but in the name of love and justice, which song is a karoake classic now, keith carradine? August 24, 2008

Mahogany Inspiring, the best!

So I bought this movie without having seen the movie....EXCELLENT!!! Maybe because it was directed by Berry Gordy, or maybe because Diana Ross and Billy Dee Williams as well as Anthony Perkins do a subperb job of acting. I'm no Diana Ross fan by any means, I perfer Patti over her any day. But this movie is very inspiring, for me wanting to be a fashion designer I feel compelled to design and have my designs out there on the runway. And I have wanted to be a model as well. Mahogany inspires me to get out there and do it. Berry Gordy did a great job. Billy Dee Williams was amazing as always, Anthony Perkins...they love getting him to play sneaky creepy character, but he was amazing. And if you can bear watching Diana Ross extremely skinny to the point that it's unhealthy (she believes she was anexoria and not knowing she may have been) then hats off to you, she was amazing and I can't stop looking at her, if this movie is remade I hope they get the right actors, but I wouldn't have it remade, it's wonderful, timeless, and classic. August 4, 2008

Just As I Remember It

The DVD version of MAHOGANY was just as I remember when I first saw it back in 1976. It would have been nice if they had some outtakes or a documentary of how the movie was developed and made. It would also have been nice to see the sketches of the garments that Diana Ross designed for the movie. I am happy to say that this movie was the catalyst for my career as a Fashion Designer. October 21, 2007

Love Beats All

I've always loved this movie, mostly for the fashion and photography. It's a good story line about striving to achieve your dreams despite the odds and others trying to talk you out of pursuing your dream. Tracy Chambers (played by Diana Ross) reached her dream but gave it up for the love of "Billy Dee Williams" without flipping a coin. October 8, 2007

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