Lady Sings the Blues (1972)

 A Movie I Will Never Forget--Too Bad The Academy Awards Did
When I first saw this fabulous movie in 1972, I was completely awestruck. I couldn't even move from my seat, so I paid to watch it again. While Diana Ross was totally cheated out of the Academy Award for Best Actress, the movie itself was maligned when it did not receive the other top nominations--Best Picture of the Year, Best Actor (Billy Dee Williams), and Best Director (Sidney J. Furie). Moreover, it would not be a stretch to state that Richard Pryor deserved a nod for Best Supporting Actor. In my mind, Lady Sings the Blues was the very best of 1972, but politics and prejudice interfered with the acclamation the movie should have earned. I don't know that the film is technically a musical, but it is the closest thing to one I can think of, that I completely enjoyed.

Having watched it on the small screen, I can say that a fair amount of the majesty of the film is lost, but the performances are still just as satisfying today as they were in 1972. April 5, 2008

 Good Night, Lady...
Regardless of the historical inaccuracies of this film, like many other "biography" films, to pick apart such an outstanding work of art is to me a waste of time. If that is what you want to do, then go dumpster diving, and pick through the garbage to find a diamond.
Because you'll have just as much luck.

This masterpiece, shows Miss Ross, in her most outstanding performance from the early 1970's, yet!!! And further trivia, this was her VERY FIRST ACTING ROLE!!! Never before, had she even acted in ANY movie before, and yet to see this movie, to see her brilliant, and poignant portrayal of the legendary singer, Billie Holiday is not to be missed. A MUST SEE. For both Billie Holiday fans, and Miss Diana Ross fans alike. March 23, 2008

 MAGNIFICENT ASSOCIATION -DIANA ROSS/BILLIE HOLIDAY-
THIS STORY IS SO POWERFUL, ELEGANTLY WRITTEN AND DIRECTED.
THE MUSIC IS MAGIC AND DIANA ROSS PLAYS LADY DAY LIKE IF SHE WAS POSSESSED WITH HER SOUL AND BLUES.


I'VE SEEN THIS MOVIE HUNDREDS OF TIMES AND I CRY AND LAUGH, EVERY TIME.

I HAVE PURCHASED THIS MOVIE SEVERAL TIMES TO GIVE IT TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY.

DON'T HESITATE AND ENJOY THE RIDE !!! VERY STRONG. January 18, 2008

 UnMissable Ross
Why has this been essentially forgotten for 30 years? It's as good if not better than Coal Miner's Daughter or The Buddy Holly Story -- very well-written and directed. Yes, it glamorizes Billie and ,more significantly her man, but it really holds up as a film. It's odd this movie isn't held in higher regard.
Diana is really amazing. No, she doesn't look like Billie. No, she doesn't sound like Billie, but watching it I felt she captured something essential. Why doesn't she get props for this? It's like if Usher suddenly gave the performance Jamie Foxx did in Ray. It's astonishing she never went on to have a big film career. Today, people talk about Dorothy Dandridge getting nominated more - for a musical where she didn't even do her own singing.
The eerie thing about watching this. I kept thinking, "Who does she remind me off?" And then it hit me. "Oh yeah, Michael." It's all here. You can see the birth of the whole affect of Michael Jackson's various screen / video performances.
December 8, 2007

 case of mistaken identity...
I remember watching this movie when it came out. I thought it was ok. Until I read Billie Holiday's Autobiography. Hence, the two stars. I'm not sure anyone would want to make a movie about what Lady Day went through back then. She was young when she lost her life. And I don't know how she managed to live so long, with what she had to live with in those days. Which is still known to exist today! God Bless. When are we going to wake up! Lady Day is the Greatest! She could sing without even trying. And when she didn't feel like it, she couldn't. She has the most beautiful voice I've heard. Read her book. It's a beautiful, sad story... August 31, 2007

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