The Jacksons: An American Dream

This is one of those movies that you know contains factual "liberties" but you don't care because it still does its job of entertaining you. Given the time constraints, even as long as it was, there just was not adequate time to tell each family member's mini story. Having said that, I think the public would very much enjoy a longer version to include the missing elements. Maybe now?

As far the performances, I was most impressed by the actors playing Michael, especially Wylie Draper. He was phenomenal at capturing Michael's style and personality. I also loved Angela Bassett and Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs in their roles. Angela played Katherine Jackson as a loving mother that was a source of comfort for Michael. Lawrence's portrayal of Joeseph was excellent as a demanding task master that, underneath it all, just wanted more for his family than what they had waiting for them in Gary, Indiana. The other brothers were adequate and it was also interesting to see Terrence Howard at this early point in his career.

I agree with another reviewer who noted the glossing over of Michael's early solo career. As someone who distinctly remembers the "Off the Wall" period, I was disappointed that it was not given adequate screen time. Some of the highlights for me involved scenes where the brothers were all together having fun and goofing off, which showed them a close-knit family that cared for one another. I also loved the ending scene with the brothers singing "Thank You". Chills.

Overall, really enjoyable with great performances and choreography that sent me right back to my childhood. I was 4 when ABC came out. Whenever I see images of the Jackson 5 on stage or hear the familiar refrains of their songs, it just brings a smile to my face. This movie is a must for all Jackson fans.

Considering this movie was produced by two people who actually lived through the story (Jermaine Jackson and Suzanne DePasse). This movie could of been A LOT better. It was almost completely in accurate. The number of mistakes and contradictions in this movie are insane. It makes you think, why didn't Jermaine or Suzanne didn't say "hey this isn't how this happened." My belief is that money was more important than the truth. There was only one thing that could of took up for all the mistakes in the movie and that's if they did the Goin' Back To Indiana Special. That concert was one of the most important of all the concerts and they left it out. In conclusion, if you don't know the details of the Jackson 5, and you really like this movie than don't learn it. Because knowing the facts will make you hate this film.

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.

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.