One thing I respect about Toni is she built her career on straight R&B w/o crossing over really. Mainstream kinda crossed over to her. Also the girl who played Toni fit well to me she was just TOO soft spoken.The first half was OK but it picked up during all the drama.
All points you agreed. They could not have showed the music side of her and the personal side of her in less than a hour and a half. They would have to take it to the big screen like they did Selena so we can get to know her and really care about her as a person. The movie Selena made her a world wide superstar to people who didn't know her or even speak Spanish because they made us care about her by getting to know her. For the time they had it would have been wise to make a choice between personal and career. I think she really wanted to let the people know about what really happened with the bankruptcy because the public still tries to let her have her for them and they weren't her fault. What I got was that she was this very naive church girl with an incredible gift who basically got fucked over badly because she didn't know the business side of the music industry. Great review pa. Excellent in fact.
I agree the movie was very basic and "okay". I felt like the actress didn't even attempt to talk in her tone. The one thing about this movie that I was impressed with was the guy playing Babyface. If they do a biopic on him, he should definitely play him.
Dead on review. I was born in 95 so I knew Toni as an artist with some great hits but DEFINITELY didn't know what her stardom really consisted of... This (rushed film that I feel like I just found out about being made last week and here it is out already) did NOT capture all the essence of the woman she really was, the relationships she held with people, nor the success she really had. If it wasn't for the details I've stumbled across these past few years through social media and the reality show, I still would be ignorant to the influence Toni really held/holds and The Braxton's triumphant story.
People have to understand the difference between theatrical and teleplay although Calvin do bring up good point about the Natalie Cole story(RIP) being done well, C+ is a bit low. Budgets are a major difference and therefore, you're not going to get the same production value as you would if you did it for a theatrical release. It's impossible to include everything in the 2 hours block which includes sponsors so really 1h.15mins (or or less). I get why Toni wanted to do a Lifetime movie. It is a much faster ROI then theatrical. No need to find distribution because you already have it which is key when doing big budget films. The risk is seriously a gamble (Ask the Weinstein Brothers with "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk Home"). Calvin made great points regarding casting, story and overall the feel of the film. Hopefully, Toni will find an investor to produce the theatrical version like a Ray or Tina Turner film so this new generation can see her true worth and how much she made an impact on the music industry and including put a Black face to Autism and Lupus. I give this film a B for better than the last two films Lifetime made and overall great production.
OH MY GOD Calvin you are like my spirit animal! Seriously I felt the exact same way and made the exact same points throughout the movie. I'm an actress myself and grew up in Toni's era, so I was infuriated with the lead actress. Didn't even try to put some bass in her voice. Which is why her talking voice and Toni's vocals made a serious disconnect. Movie was too rushed and didnt have the impact that it should've. I agree it was just OK and that's all.
so maybe she needed two days part 1 and part 2. Maybe it will inspire someone that will do this on a bigger scale. but sounds like she did a lot of this herself . so maybe its descent for a one woman show.
To be honest no shade I haven't seen the movie yet but since you mentioned that they were rushing the movie because they have to put enough in one 2 hour movie and believe 2 hour movie is not that long most of the time they try not to make it more than straight 2 hours try to stop it before it reach 2 hours so that's crazy. If I ever did a biopic about me it wouldn't be on Lifetime it would be in the theaters and believe me it would be 2 hours long enough for me to tell my story so I can't wait to watch it holla
so you saying the movie was boring😭😭😭 lawd please send your angels give the movie some type of strength so the movie so people can get some everlasting life.
One thing I respect about Toni is she built her career on straight R&B w/o crossing over really. Mainstream kinda crossed over to her. Also the girl who played Toni fit well to me she was just TOO soft spoken.The first half was OK but it picked up during all the drama.
All points you agreed. They could not have showed the music side of her and the personal side of her in less than a hour and a half. They would have to take it to the big screen like they did Selena so we can get to know her and really care about her as a person. The movie Selena made her a world wide superstar to people who didn't know her or even speak Spanish because they made us care about her by getting to know her. For the time they had it would have been wise to make a choice between personal and career. I think she really wanted to let the people know about what really happened with the bankruptcy because the public still tries to let her have her for them and they weren't her fault. What I got was that she was this very naive church girl with an incredible gift who basically got fucked over badly because she didn't know the business side of the music industry. Great review pa. Excellent in fact.
I agree the movie was very basic and "okay". I felt like the actress didn't even attempt to talk in her tone. The one thing about this movie that I was impressed with was the guy playing Babyface. If they do a biopic on him, he should definitely play him.
I agree that it was too rushed. In truth, Toni would have needed at least a 3 hr. movie to cover all the events of her life.
i can listen to you speak all day!!!!
Dead on review. I was born in 95 so I knew Toni as an artist with some great hits but DEFINITELY didn't know what her stardom really consisted of... This (rushed film that I feel like I just found out about being made last week and here it is out already) did NOT capture all the essence of the woman she really was, the relationships she held with people, nor the success she really had. If it wasn't for the details I've stumbled across these past few years through social media and the reality show, I still would be ignorant to the influence Toni really held/holds and The Braxton's triumphant story.
People have to understand the difference between theatrical and teleplay although Calvin do bring up good point about the Natalie Cole story(RIP) being done well, C+ is a bit low. Budgets are a major difference and therefore, you're not going to get the same production value as you would if you did it for a theatrical release. It's impossible to include everything in the 2 hours block which includes sponsors so really 1h.15mins (or or less).
I get why Toni wanted to do a Lifetime movie. It is a much faster ROI then theatrical. No need to find distribution because you already have it which is key when doing big budget films. The risk is seriously a gamble (Ask the Weinstein Brothers with "Nelson Mandela: Long Walk Home"). Calvin made great points regarding casting, story and overall the feel of the film.
Hopefully, Toni will find an investor to produce the theatrical version like a Ray or Tina Turner film so this new generation can see her true worth and how much she made an impact on the music industry and including put a Black face to Autism and Lupus.
I give this film a B for better than the last two films Lifetime made and overall great production.
The leading star reminded me of pebbles
It didn't tell me anything I didn't already know.
I agree
OH MY GOD Calvin you are like my spirit animal! Seriously I felt the exact same way and made the exact same points throughout the movie. I'm an actress myself and grew up in Toni's era, so I was infuriated with the lead actress. Didn't even try to put some bass in her voice. Which is why her talking voice and Toni's vocals made a serious disconnect. Movie was too rushed and didnt have the impact that it should've. I agree it was just OK and that's all.
I liked the movie, but i agree that it went by too fast, i had no time to connect to the characters. Hopefully they release the soundtrack.
so maybe she needed two days part 1 and part 2. Maybe it will inspire someone that will do this on a bigger scale. but sounds like she did a lot of this herself . so maybe its descent for a one woman show.
i liked your review
Nice review. I agree on a lot of things you said. New subie! ☺
To be honest no shade I haven't seen the movie yet but since you mentioned that they were rushing the movie because they have to put enough in one 2 hour movie and believe 2 hour movie is not that long most of the time they try not to make it more than straight 2 hours try to stop it before it reach 2 hours so that's crazy. If I ever did a biopic about me it wouldn't be on Lifetime it would be in the theaters and believe me it would be 2 hours long enough for me to tell my story so I can't wait to watch it holla
They're budget was running low when they got to Towanda, so I bet they had the actress where he own shit throughout.
I’m surprised Toni didn’t produce a miniseries about her life. But...from what I’m hearing, this movie seems...OK.
so you saying the movie was boring😭😭😭 lawd please send your angels give the movie some type of strength so the movie so people can get some everlasting life.