I was absolutely enthralled. From beginning to finish, I was captured. I felt like I was holding my breath…I had to physically remind myself to shake it off! I had witnessed the movie with Whoopie, Oprah and Danny and I had EXPERIENCED the broadway play with Cynthia, Heather and Danielle…but the cinematic beauty of this one simply took my breath away. If I would critique any one thing, that would be the sound…the astounding depth and soul of the actors portrayals just did not match their musical performances at all. Their songs seemed swallowed up. TAMALA AND FANTASIA? Two of the biggest, boldest voices of our time and I had trouble hearing them for the loudness of the music??? Sadly I think the sound person hit and missed…when Tasia fumbled ‘I’m Here’…let me tell you, it wasn’t because of her vocal dexterity…there was just no OOMPH! No REVERB…no depth…no soul! But I could be wrong. It’s just my opinion. I know I’m prejudiced since NOTHING COMPARES TO CYNTHIA…not even my lovely jHUD! But something something, something something just wasn’t right…
But I cried. I winced. I jumped. I danced. I sang. Mister pissed me off AGAIN. I loved this version and I will be purchasing the DVD for posterity. It was beautifully done, and wonderfully portrayed but child I was kinda left wanting more….wait…Ms. Winfrey, was that the plan????