Amazon.co.uk Review
A soapy backstage melodrama originally produced for network broadcast, Double Platinum downplays showbiz verisimilitude to turn on the tears. With 60s soul queen Diana Ross and 90s pop princess Brandy sharing production credit as well as billing, this formulaic tearjerker focuses on its stars' dramatic chops more than their musical prowess, a choice that won't deter their respective audiences, even as it disappoints less partisan music fans who might have hoped for a stronger musical component.
Olivia King (Ross) is the former St. Louis housewife who abandoned her family for pop stardom, only to return 18 years later determined to meet, and reconcile with, her daughter, Kayla (Brandy), now nurturing her own footlight fantasies. But when the prodigal mom finally does reveal herself to the bright, feisty teen, Kayla is outraged and then hard-boiled. Olivia's offer to help the undeniably talented girl make industry contacts is accepted, with the bitter caveat that the superstar should abandon any hopes of a true maternal bond with her embittered daughter. The usually imperious Olivia meekly accepts those terms, while the secretly yearning Kayla keeps up her tough-cookie cover, but the plot telegraphs its ultimate destination, even as the tears flow.
Both stars acquit themselves well in the story's stormier clashes, and the emotional tug of the story is well engineered to soak hankies. Less credulous viewers will be hampered by the original songs--when Ross steps on-stage, her regal demeanour and flashy (if occasionally silly) gowns support her supposed status as a legend, but the utterly forgettable, generic songs she mouths deflate that image. That said, viewers less interested in the actual music than the glitzy idea of the two characters may well be content to wallow in the waterworks of a story that could as easily have been titled Divas: The Next Generation. --Sam Sutherland, Amazon.com
Customer Reviews:
Worth it just to see Diana Ross.......2001-07-21
I do love Diana Ross and , unlike most singing stars , she can actualy act .Her own rigid criteria and being black and beautiful has limited her acting career . As a fan therefore it is always a great treat to see her on film . Having said that , this film is really girlie and corny in parts . Harvey Firstein is an embarrassment and , knowing Diana's music so well , the music could have been so much better . That pink gown is so silly .Despite the film's flaws she still looks incredibly beautiful so it's worth every penny .If you want great acting from a serious Diana Ross get Out of Darkness .
A TRIUMPH IN DIANA ROSS' AND BRABYS' CAREER!.......2000-09-26
Diana Ross and Brandy star in this powerful drama which demonstrates perfectly there wide range of talents and abilities. This often moving filmhas many great scenes between these two brilliant actress'. A winning combination. The soundtrack is great too with all of these songs lifted from both of their own recent albums. Its way above your normal average standard T.V movie and has a great supporting cast too. The ending is triumphant with the beautiful duet, Love Is All That Matters wiith that being the general theme of the movie. A great movie with two very strong actress'/singers. Highly recommended/
Love is all that Matters.......2000-07-08
I would say the acting is average in this film, but the music by Diana Ross is brilliant! Someone that you loved before is a great song to kick off the film. Its worth a watch, but I reccomend you by Diana's latest CD 'Every day is a new day' for some really cool songs. Carry on!
Diana at her best, singing and playing a DIVA.......2000-06-27
Diana has been away from film musicals for far too long. In Double Platinum not only do we see some okay acting, check out the scene near the end of the film where Olivia(Diana) tries to explain to her abandoned daughter Kayla (Brandy), who is now grown up with musical aspirations of her own, why she left her as a baby and tells her that if she had to do it all again she would not do things differently, a real gutsy scene from Ross.
Great to have so much music, highlights being an excellent concert performance of the Lion King song 'He Lives In You'(why has this not been released as a single), and very crafty of Diana to have her two young sons Ross and Evan taking part in the audience for this scene! Several other songs from Diana's last cd 'Everyday Is A New Day' feature in the film, including 'Someone That You Loved Before', 'Carry On', and the duet 'Love Is All That Matters'. This last song is only available as a duet within the film, and when the film was transmitted on television last year in USA everyone expected this duet to be released as a single, unfortunately this did not happen, so the only version from Diana is the solo track on her album.
The storyline is very predictable, and some of the performances, in particular Harvey Fierstein, are a little over the top. But on the whole you come away with a feel good factor, even given the corny ending with Diana and Brandy on stage together declaring via their musical duet that 'LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS'.
Highlights, some nice musical performances from both Diana and Brandy, and a welcome return from the mother of all DIVAS Diana Ross. Turn up the volume, and enjoy!
BETTER THAN EXPECTED!.......2000-06-21
Having been a fan of Diana Ross for many many years, I have watched her acting career with mixed feelings. 'Lady Sings the Blues' clearly stands out as an exceptional film (why can't you buy it in the UK by the way? , 'Mahogany' was OK, 'The Wiz' close to unspeakable at times. The current crop has seen an improvement. 'Out of Darkness' is actually quite good and a recommended view. 'Double Platinum' was cautiously awaited, however it's not bad. There is a lot more music than expected, mostly from DR and Brandy's current albums and Ross proves she is a capable actress. If you like Diana Ross or Brandy, or simply want an easy film to watch, then give it a go!
DVD Review:
- Dreamgirls [2007] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Drummers Collective - 25th Anniversary Celebration And Bass Day 2002
- Drums for the Absolute Beginner (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Evita [1997] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Finian's Rainbow [1968] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Flaming Star [1960] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Gene Autry Collection: Mule Train [1950] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Gene Autry Collection: Valley of Fire [1951] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Grease [1978] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
- Guitar Portraits [2004]
DVD Review List
DVD Review
![Double Platinum [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/21w95WY3z0L.jpg)
All Drama
|
Drama
|
Categories
|
DVD
|
Video
![Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella [1997] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B00004Z4SE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![The Wiz [1978]](http://images-eu.amazon.com/images/P/B0002ADWEE.01.THUMBZZZ.jpg)
![Double Platinum [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.bill88.com/buy.gif)
![Double Down [1999] (REGION 1) (NTSC)](http://www.germanelectronics88.com/noimage.gif)
