Customer Reviews

Lady Sings the Blues

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

but it's an absolute DISGRACE to the memory and legacy of the real Lady Day. Diana was a decent (solo) to great(Supremes) soul singer, but she's no great actor. She's simply competent ... watching Mahogany proves that beyond a shadow of a doubt. To do the story of Billie Holiday, easily one of the most influential and lasting jazz/torch singers of the 20th century, and not cast a known quantity was a serious mistake on Gordy and Motown's part. Not only didn't Ross look the part, she certainly didn't act it, and her voice is nothing like Billie's;it's far weaker and devoid of the "body" Lady Day had. The only bright spot in this was Rochard Pryor's part, even though, again, it was 99% fiction. Save your time, save your money. Buy a Billie Holiday CD, her autobiography, and enjoy the real thing. Maybe one day someone will make a REAL film bio of the Lady.

This is the sickest film i have ever seen in my life. And it's nearly all pure fiction. Billie Holliday fans should avoid this all together and read the book instead. It was an insult to Billie's memory and amazing talent.

Very pleased with the quality of the dvd. Especially considering that I tried in vain to copy my old vhs to dvd which turned out to be barely visible.Thanks

I saw this film almost 30 years ago, when it came out - I loved it then. I worked at a movie theatre and got to see this film over and over. Enjoyed the soundtrack enough to learn the songs. However, recently, its found its way back on TV, and was looking forward to seeing it again. However, I was astonished at the sloppiness of the film, which I hadn't noticed before - most of all the diction. There are so many scenes in the film where the dialogue is almost unintelligible, because everyone is mumbling their words! Richard Pryor was a pistol; great character, but Mr. Mumbles. The scene where Pryor and Ross are mourning the loss of her mother - it was 10 minutes of wailing and mumbling. I found myself wishing that someone had done closed captioning for it. I have read the real biography of Billie Holiday, and Diana Ross is about as far away from the real Billie as one could imagine. Billie was an unusual woman, different, not petite, and rather classy, in a raw sort of way - her singing WAS raw, from the soul. Diana sings nicely, but didn't have the depth Billie had. I don't mean to be so critical, but this is a film I loved at one time, and found it, many years later, to not have stood the test of time.

The complex life of jazz singer Billie Holiday cannot be summed up in a two-and-a-half hour film unless it's a documentary. Therefore, LADY SINGS THE BLUES misses the boat in portraying Billie's life, but hits the target in casting Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams and Richard Pryor. The chemistry between these three thespians are a joy to behold. And Ms. Ross sings Billie's songs very well without resorting to imitating the jazz legend.

But a STRONG 3 stars for Diana's acting and rendering of Billie's tunes (I got chills when she sang "Strange Fruit"). This story doesn't represent the life of Billie Holiday AT ALL, but it was a nice fantasy. I must admit that Billie Dee Williams' over-the-top performance was really annoying, hokey and downright laughable. Richard Pryor added a lovable and humorous spark to the flick that was unforgettable! I'm hoping the reason it's taking so long for this movie to come out on DVD is that they are going to make it fabulous with all sorts of extra features and whatnot. Otherwise:

WHAT'S TAKING SO LONG FOR THIS MOVIE TO COMING OUT ON DVD?!?!?!?!

This movie is a true classic in every sense of the word. I am by no means a Diana Ross fan - but I LOVE this movie. You have to give credit where credit is due. She played this role to the hilt. I love the way Billie Dee stood by his woman. Don't we all wish we could find a man so committed to us.

I have always been a huge fan of Diana Ross and Lady Day, but putting that aside this movie is truly worth every penny, every minute you spend watching. The Billie Holiday story stands by itself as an incredible testimony to what it was like to be black in 1930's America, but add to that Diana's vulnerability and beautiful voice and you have one of the best stories ever put on film!!!! I just can't wait until it is put on DVD with 5.0 dolby digital sound..........does anyone out there know when that might happen????? :) Buy the movie, you will not regret it.

Miss Ross delivers she can sing,dance, and act she has beauty, style,and grace...... She is a legend and an icon she is multi-talented she was with one of the most legendary female musical groups of all time with the legendary motown records she has achieved much success has done just about everything and has been seen with just about everyone and also has performed with many legendary artsits such as Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, she did outstanding performances with Marvin Gaye and she is a founding member of the supergirl group "The Supremes" this woman is the true meaning of what you call a "diva" and by the way the most of her men are and were very successful to name a few. But she isn't perfect just like everyone we all have flaws. But I don't know anyone who has achieved as much stardom as this woman has and in this movie she does an outstanding performance as Billie Holiday she sings with Beauty,Style,and Grace and she has that naturally but in this movie she does some superb acting . Her acting was so good I was really beginning to think that she was the real Billie Holiday so therefore Diana delivered in this role and she played her part wonderfully. and Co-starred her was Richard Pryor he did an exceptional job another multi-talented african american a legendary comic who is and will always be my favorite comedian!!!! And alongside Diana, and Richard co-starred Billy Dee Williams a very handsome man back in the days and he is still very nice looking today and he still has that voice that can light a fireplace so therefore if you are a fan of anyone of these people mentioned and a huge fan of Diana Ross and Billie Holiday I would truly recommend you to buy this video it is excptional!!!!

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE release this film on DVD.