Lady Sings the Blues
by Sidney J. Furie
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DVD details
Actor: Billy Dee Williams, Diana Ross, James T. Callahan, Paul Hampton, Richard PryorDirector: Sidney J. Furie
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono
Format: Collector's Edition, Color, DVD-Video, NTSC, Special Edition, Widescreen
Picture Format: 2.35:1
Running Time: 143 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2005-11-08
Audience Rating: R (Restricted)
Studio: Paramount
DVD Reviews of Lady Sings the Blues
DVD Review: This Movie Needs to Be Recreated
Summary: 1 Stars
I have always adored Billie Holiday since I was a kid. She is, to me, the greatest female jazz singer in history. I was about 11 when I first saw this movie and I was naturally excited when I learned that there was a movie about Billie holiday's life I was completely horrified and disappointed with this movie, Diana's acting, and the singing. I wanted to hear Billie's actual voice with the music, or at least someone who had a similar vocal quality to Billie. Nothing personal to Diana, I also like Diana's singing and some of the other movies that she had played in. I just don't think this was a good choice for her to star in. I felt that they could have chosen someone who looked and sang at least a little similar to Billie. But, I see the director didn't care about that either, instead choosing someone who was famous and popular, though no similarities to the actual character.
I conclusion, I truly hope that someone will remake the movie with a stronger need of quality. Personally, I think that Jill Scott could be one of the few singers/actresses to possibly play the role of Billie Holiday due to her similarity in looks and jazz vocal qualities.
DVD Review: Diana Ross is incredible
Summary: 5 Stars
In my opinion, (surely due to strong bias because I have been listening to this album since I was a little girl) this album/DVD contains some of the absolute best versions of Billie Holiday songs ever recorded. Diana Ross exquisitely captured the perfect tempo(i), inflection, phrasing, and dynamics for every song (not to mention her incredible acting performance as well.) The movie is one that I can watch over and over and over again and always be captivated. DVD Review: Daina Ross: This Lady Sings and Acts
Summary: 5 Stars
I grew up listening to Diana Ross and the Supremes. Always loved their music , So I went to see Diana Ross in a movie...Well, I don't want to overstate the case, but 'Lady Sings the Blues' is a Perfect movie and Diana Ross is Superb -nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Treat yourself to this movie and a few others: Bette Midler in 'The Rose', Cher in 'Mask' or 'Silkwood', Barbra Streisand in 'The Way We Were' or 'What's Up Doc' or to a Hillary Clinton For President speech: did you know that Hillary Clinton received more votes than any other Presidential Primary candidate in history.DVD Review: Lady Sings the Blues
Summary: 5 Stars
Absolutely stunning! I first saw this movie in 1976 and it is even better than I remembered it. Ross's performance, and that of Billy Dee Williams are both excellent. It's such a pity that this movie seems to have disappeared off the screens of most shops today. I have been searching for it for years.DVD Review: A Movie I Will Never Forget--Too Bad The Academy Awards Did
Summary: 5 Stars
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.
Update--1 July 2008: If this review was not helpful to you, I would appreciate learning the reason(s) so I can improve my reviews. My goal is to provide help to potential buyers, not get into any arguments. So, if you only disagree with my opinion, could you please say so in the comments and not indicate that the review was not helpful. Thanks.
Description of Lady Sings the Blues
The essence of Billie Holiday, one of America's most loved and memorable blues singers, is captured brilliantly in a tour-de-force debut performance by singer Diana Ross. Filled with the greatest songs of the incomparable "Lady Day," this stunning film biography received five Academy Award. nominations, including Diana Ross for "Best Actress." Costarring Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor.Diana Ross stars as legendary blues singer Billie Holiday in this biopic that chronicles her rise and fall. It begins with her late childhood, a stint as a prostitute, those early days as a blues singer, her marriages, and her drug addiction. Overly glossy and lacking depth, this is worth seeing only for the performances. Diana Ross was nominated for an Oscar for her acting debut. A dynamo with sparkling screen presence, she realistically conveys the confusion and unhappiness that caused Holiday so much grief. Her performance is almost matched by romantic interest Billy Dee Williams. Watch for Richard Pryor, who is most powerful in a dramatic supporting role as the piano player in a brothel. --Rochelle O'Gorman
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