Biopic of the multi-talented African-American singer/dancer/actress Dorothy Dandridge. The stress of having a mentally disabled child ends her marriage to Harold Nicholas and the color barrier in Hollywood makes it difficult for her to find meaningful work. Her big break came with the lead role in Carmen Jones, for which she was nominated for a best actress Oscar. She died of a prescription drug overdose in 1965.
Director: Martha Coolidge
Writers: Earl Mills (book), Shonda Rhimes & Scott Abbott (teleplay).
Stars: Halle Berry, Brent Spiner, Klaus Maria Brandauer.
Kim Blank ... choreographer
Wanja McIntyre ... assistant choreographer
Watched online, ok print.
10 songs in the Soundtracks.
S.Rhimes has only 1 other IMDb credit before this: as writer/director of a short in '98.
BS plays the agent Earl Mills, upon whose book this is based. KMB plays Otto Preminger, director of Carmen Jones ('54) and Porgy and Bess ('59), both starring DD. The film Bright Road ('53) was also mentioned.
I previously rated this 5 because of the early rape scene, which is all that I remembered of this production. Since I was braced for it this time, I can see past it. However, I question the importance of this incident, or of her supposed repulsion to sex. I suppose it can make her more sympathetic, or it could just be sensationalism to attract viewers.
Her troubles as a black woman in showbiz (or in America for that matter) are illustrated well. HB is an excellent choice to portray her.
The Nicholas Brothers were represented, and they danced. I don't envy the actors' burden of trying to portray that level of dancing. There was a brief moment when they got the hands right. I don't remember how well they did the hands-free splits.
Rated 7.1 (2,955)
HBO & more, dir. Coolidge; 6
