The Jacksons: An American Dream

I like all biographies, and I really love the Jacksons, I thought Wylie Draper (the guy that played the older Michael Jackson) looked a little like the real one, I'm sorry that we lost him, he was a good actor. Jason Weaver's acting gave Wylie something to work with, and he succeeded in Alex Burrell's (Michael Jackson from age 6-9) version of Michael. I didn't know at first that Jermaine's son was playing him, he looks exactly like his dad, but I think the guy who came after Jermaine Jr. really ruined it as far as portraying Jermaine is concerned, but his "overacting" worked in some scenes like with Hazel Gordy at the airport and talking with her in the hotel room and also talking with his dad.

I like the music, that's my favorite part, I'm gonna buy this movie, it's worth it.

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.

The problem here isn't the subject matter. Au contraire, the saga of the Jacksons' journey from Gary, Indiana to mega pop stars is an engrossing and revealing rags-to-riches story. The trouble, as is often the case with made-for-TV movies, is the execution: slipshod art direction, cheesy soundtrack('60s-style songs that sound too '90s), rough editing and script continuity. The Jacksons' story deserves better than this.

This movie is terrific. The Director lets the story unfold without resorting to histrionics. The different boys playing Michael are all wonderful and evoke the charm that made the real 10 year old into a star. Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs does wonderful work portraying a man that many have vilified without adding his own judgment.

Special mention should be made to the choreography: Michael Peters does an excellent job of recreating the signature moves of the Jackson 5, and the scene with Jackie Wilson subtly suggests many of the steps that a real-life Michael Jackson uses.

I enjoy this movie and can't wait to see it again.

Personally, I liked this movie. Even though I have been an avid Jackson fan since the beginning, I was able to evaluate this movie with a proper perspective and I'm giving it a 10!!!!!! Both Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs and Angela Bassett were outstanding as Joseph and Katherine Jackson. The remaining cast were excellent and the musical numbers were magnificent!! The writing, art direction, costume design and all the other elements that makes a great movie were impeccable.

Within the last year, I've seen several movies about teen idols from the seventies and some of them were lousy and not historically accurate(especially with the music). Not this one!!! The Jacksons' movie was historically accurate in it's depiction of the world's greatest musical family.