The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) (TV)

Réalisateur:

Karen Arthur

Scénariste (WGA):

Joyce Eliason (written by)

Date de sortie:

15 novembre 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biographie | Drame | Musique

Accroche:

There's fame...there's fortune...and then there's family. Sometimes it's hard to choose.

Intrigue:

The Jacksons are your average working-class family in Gary, Indiana; but when their father discovers...

Plot Keywords:

Motown | Teenage Boy | Star Spangled Banner | Marriage | Extramarital Affair

Récompenses:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Avis des utilisateurs:

Way long, but not bad.

Ensemble

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs	...	Joseph Jackson
Angela Bassett	...	Katherine Jackson
Holly Robinson Peete	...	Diana Ross (as Holly Robinson)
Margaret Avery	...	Martha Scruse
Alex Burrall	...	Michael Jackson (aged 6-8)
Jermaine Jackson II	...	Jermaine Jackson (aged 13-17)
Bumper Robinson	...	Jackie Jackson - age 12-16
Floyd Roger Myers Jr.	...	Marlon Jackson - age 7-9
Monica Calhoun	...	Rebbie Jackson
Jason Weaver	...	Michael Jackson (aged 9-14)
Ángel Vargas	...	Tito Jackson
Terrence Howard	...	Jackie Jackson (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Lanei Chapman
Elizabeth Narvaez	...	Dee Dee
Billy Dee Williams	...	Berry Gordy

Autre(s) titre(s):

The Jackson Five (USA) (working title)

Durée:

240 min | 60 min (4 episodes)

Pays:

USA

Langue:

Anglais

Couleur:

Couleur

Rapport de forme:

1,33 : 1

Son:

Stereo

Classification:

Netherlands:6

Lieux de tournage:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Société:

De Passe Entertainment

Goofs:

Audio/Video non synchronisé: After the fight with Jackie and one of the kids from the neighborhood Jackie says to his daddy "I did it" but his mouth does not move.

Guillemet:

[repeated line]
Joseph Jackson: Get a switch!

Connexions De Film:

Suivi par Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story (2004) (TV)

Way long, but not bad.

This two-part miniseries (long enough to be a week-long miniseries if each episode was an hour), was at times overly dramatic, somewhat lacking in humor and even kind-of depressing. Still, it's one of the best music bios ever.

The absolute best thing about this piece is Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs. Hilton-Jacobs captures the menace of the notorious Joseph Jackson. He is a father you would NOT want to disobey. On the other hand, he brings a level of humanity and respectability, sometimes even likability to the role that makes it a three-dimensional character. In many music bios, it's hard to believe they're talking about real people (exhibit A: The Doors), but not here. Hilton-Jacobs expresses Jackson's deep, cutting flaws, but also the good things about him.

As for the bigger stars in the two-parter, Vanessa Williams is likable as Susan de Passe: a Motown employee who believes so much in the boys that she convinces Berry Gordy to hear them. Billy Dee Williams is likable as Gordy, but he comes off as a saintly carefree sort. Angela Basset also excelled as the boys' mother: willing to sacrifice her goals and dreams for the sake of the family.

All three actors who played Michael were also fantastic. It's so sad that Wylie Draper died so soon after this movie came out. He really captured Michael as well as anybody could. He reminds the viewer of what people saw in Michael in the early 80s. Alex Burral and Jason Weaver also performed great as Michael, especially during the music scenes. The actors who played Michael's brothers fared also. While it clearly centers around Michael, it goes to great lengths not to make the other boys second-bananas (the only one who isn't explored much is Janet, ironically, because her fame rivals that of Michael in real life).

Speaking of the music scenes, they are almost all very well done. The scenes where they appear to be lipsynching songs (such as when they record "I'll Be There" are done pretty well, but when the actors (presumably) get to handle it on their own, it really comes alive, whether it's the kids singing old r&b classics toward the beginning, or the final concert scene at the end with a lively version of "The Love You Save."

All in all, great music and great acting make this movie one of the best rock bios of all.