User reviews

I saw Jackie's Back! for quite a few reasons, some more obvious than others, and I was very impressed. I loved the mockumentary style the film is told in, and I loved the lighting, costumes and sets too captured very well by some great camera work. I don't need to say how good the music is, I'll drop a hint actually it's brilliant and the renditions are every bit as good as well. The story may have some predictable spots, but it is well-paced and never fails to be interesting, and the script even with the odd dry area is ceaselessly hilarious. The performances and cameos are great. Jennifer Lewis is a revelation, being sassy, warm and endearing all at once, complete with a terrific voice. I am a huge Tim Curry fan, and while he sometimes overdoes the stuffiness and pomposity of his character he seems to be having great fun. Some of the biggest joys of Jackie's Back! were the cameos, the best of which were Whoopi Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce. The ending is sentimental, but effective. All in all, very good and entertaining. 8/10 Bethany Cox

I just happened to rent this movie by mistake--but what a good mistake! My daughter was supposed to pick up "Hairshow" instead of "Jackie's Back" but they must have been right next to each other. I am a fan of mockumentary films because of the "spoof factor" and what could be more funny than the deadpan look on someone's face when they're being interviewed in "mock fashion". I was amazed to see the "cavalcade of stars" that were on the roster for this movie! Jennifer Lewis did a great job portraying Jackie Washington and Tim Curry was wonderful at the interviewer. I think the person who totally stole the show (besides Jennifer Lewis) was Whoopi Goldberg as her sister. She definitely played the part of being the scorned, upstaged, and overshadowed sister. I just cracked up when I saw the "afro pick" marks on Richard Lawson's ("The Milkman") head alluding to the fact that Jackie had stabbed him. The one hit song that she has "Yield Me With Your Love" was totally Motownish in nature and when David Hyde Pierce (Perry-the deaf piano player) got a hold of the music to play for her revival comeback it sounded like a "graduation march" which was hilarious! Anyone who is a fan of mockumentary films don't "Yield"-"Go" to your local video store and rent this! Kudos Robert Townsend, you've done it again!

This was a great, entertaining movie. The setup was good and the acting was especially enjoyable. Overall, fun entertainment, and I hope they show it again on TV. The movie started out strong and continued to be so until the end, when things suddenly turned a little too emotional. The writer's should have followed the "Seinfeld Rule" -- no hugging, no crying, no learning.

Jackie's Back should be remember for three things. 1/ Jenifer Lewis'scene stealing performances. She completely shines in this movie. 2/ The mockumentary style of the film. Think: Best in Show, A Mighty Wind. and 3/ The cameos. The cameos in this movie are of the best that i think i have seen. You've got Dolly Parton, Whoopi Goldberg, Liza Minnelli, Bette Midler, Chris Rock, Sean Hayes, Ricki Lake, Rosie O'Donnell, David Hyde Pierce, Melissa Etheridge to name a FEW!

Jackie's back must not be taken too seriously or as a piece of cinematic history. It is not Oscar worthy script, but it's damn hilarious. Sit back, relax and watch the celebrities bag the s@$! out of Jackie Washington.

I rented this movie with my best friend last year. We had no idea what to expect. This movie had us laughing so hard, we watched it three times in a row and then we had everyone we knew watching it.I'm excited to know its on DVD now and just ordered it. I don't know why everyones so harsh about the ending of the movie, I think its an alright ending.No matter what, this movie is awesome! Everyone should see this movie at least once. This movie should definitely become a cult classic. I cant wait to see this movie again, it has been quite a while. Anyone who hasn't seen this movie, you need to go out and rent it. Yield Yield Yield before you hit me with your love...LOL sorry I'm rambling, just have to have ten lines in at least to post a comment.

I watched this for the ever-wonderful Tim Curry but was won over by the total package: this is a sly, deadly funny mockumentary that skewers diva ego, blaxploitation films, and the music industry, along with just about everything else that can be squeezed into the space of two hours. Jenifer Lewis is hilarious as the fiercely vain diva, and Tim Curry's dry pomposity is the perfect foil. The film's one flaw is the unlikely, unfunny ending in which all the deliciously evil humor succumbs to a saccharine feel-good production number and Curry, impossibly, grows to love the harpy he's been interviewing. In spite of the letdown of the ending, this is still a sharp, energetic send-up with lots of great surprises, including the priceless cameo by David Hyde Pierce (of Frasier fame). If this is ever aired again, set your VCR: it's a keeper.

I saw this movie when it originally broadcast on Lifetime in 1999. I have not seen a made for TV/Cable movie with a primarily African American cast that was this hilarious. At times, I had tears in my eyes. I simply love Jennifer Lewis anyway. She has that natural flair for comedy. Whoopi had me yelling in laughter in each scene in which she appeared. I could not believe the folks that had cameo's and figured they had to do this for little or no pay. Weezy (Isabel Sanford) as "Play Mama"?! The laughs just kept coming. My recommendation for everyone is to see this movie, rent it, buy it, watch it a friends but you have to see this. If you're down or blue, you won't be after this one. Great job on this project by all involved!!

I discovered this mockumentary in a rather serendipitous way; I was reading the liner notes of Grace Slick's Great Society album (check it out) and in an interview she said she was interested in acting, so I checked IMDb to see if she had ever done that and she hadn't except for a cameo in Jackie's Back.

This is a terrifically funny movie with a wondrous performance by Jenifer Lewis as a diva on the comeback trail. The movie is a constant string of gags, and while they don't all work, enough of them do to make the overall effect very entertaining.

The movie also may hold a record for cameos. A ton of entertainment people play themselves, and many of the bit parts are from fairly well- known actors. Of particular note is a hilarious bit by David Hyde Pierce as a deaf pianist.

The ending is a bit sappy, but why not end with a little heart?

It's also the most Lifetime Network part of the series, and I've got to say, I'm really curious how this wound up there. I think of Lifetime movies as being about white women struck by tragedy. Perhaps I'm wrong?

Jackie's Back....first of all I had no idea what kind of movie this might be...and to be honest...I only bought it because of Whoopi Goldberg ;) But what I get so see was a great experience and my first mockumentary at all...it's amazing....and really gripping to watch...10 stars for this movie Jenifer Lewis did a great job and it's amazing how many stars take part...you really have to see it...

For those of you in Germany or any other European country who want to watch this movie...it's not that easy to get this movie...because it has only been published in the USA...I got it via internet and a famous internet action ;) It's worth its money !!!!!

I love Jenifer Lewis and I wish they would make this into a television series (just don't put it on UPN). I finally found it on DVD and I'm actually watching it right now. I don't have anything else to say other than it's a great movie. I mean... Chris Rock is in it, Diahann Carol, Bette Mitler... it was just awesome. I mean I don't know how else to say it. If you haven't seen it, you need to. Everyone in my school is going to see this movie before I graduate...

"My mother said that Jackie's been around the block; My sister said she read she's down and out. My brother and my daddy said we'd betta change the locks..."

"I don't know if she's thin, I don't know if she's fat--All I know is Jackie's Back"

"I don't know if she white, I don't know if she black--All I know is Jackie's Back"

"I don't if she is, I don't know is she ain't--All I know is Jackie's Back!!"

I first saw this movie on "Lifetime" I then recorded it when it finally repeated. This is probably my favorite movie of all time. I just love the jokes especially Whoopi playing Ethel...I quote it all the time. "Here she is trying to make a comeback she gone! That's why you're making a documentary to try and help her *beep* come back" hahaha classic. I force everyone I know to watch this movie. The amount of guest stars is incredible and the songs I find myself singing as if the really existed. I love how they take stereotypes and make them funny also. Like Ivan and Snookie Tate. It is a classic and I have it on Tape and DVD...worth a watch or 40!

I'm a huge Tim Curry fan, so I initially watched this for that reason, but I have to say, this is one of the funniest movies I'd seen in a while. "Jackie" is a fallen diva, descended from George Washington (according to her), about to make a comeback. I loved all the cameos, you can tell just by the people willing to make cameos in this that they thought it was a hilarious concept. The end is a bit too sappy, but I can forgive that. LOved "The Milkman".. my favorite scene is Jackie saying, "I never stabbed him with no afro pick... he FELL on that afro pick" and then the indentations on Milkman's forehead.... just beautiful! Great movie... I highly recommend it!

I laughed throughout, except for the icky-sweet ending. I guess they decided to spoof everybody so that no ONE person could say it was about them. Although it was more of a Diana Ross/Pam Grier roast, they picked on everyone, and it was great! The cameo interviews were wonderful -- Penny Marshall, Don Cornelius, Dolly Parton, Diane Carroll, Howie Mandel, Liza Minelli, and that's just the beginning.

Tim Curry and Jenifer Lewis held the story together nicely around the numerous snippets and provided many comedic moments themselves. It is definitely worth your $1 at the video store, or better yet ... tape it next time it appears on Lifetime!

Frankly, I started to watch this solely for the splendidly delightful Tim Curry. I was rather puzzled and not sure what to expect by the title and "mocumentary" description. What I found was a lighthearted movie just full of laughs and a pleasure to watch! Of course Tim Curry turned in another marvelous performance, this time quite understated. Jenifer Lewis I was unfamiliar with, but now I will watch for her. Curry and Lewis complemented each other well. The young actress who played Ontondre I thought was especially good, and I hope to see more of her in the future. My only complaint is that it wrapped up a little too quickly and kinda sappy -- just didn't seem to fit with the rest of the movie -- but altogether a relatively minor point that really didn't detract much. Its just delightful! Top rated!

With cameos by the hundreds, and going downhill in the last 20 minutes, this one beat the Ruttles mockumentary by the mile!

Yeah so I LOVE this movie!...I have seen it so many times and most of my friends have seen it at least once or heard me quote something from it!...It unfortunate that it didn't get the notoriety that it should have. I'm thinking I'm going to take this movie to school and suggest that they show it one of those movie night gatherings they put together from time to time. It also seems like the movie is hard to find when one does want to buy or rent it. I got it as a gift, from friends who are now also hooked on this movie but even they had a hard time finding it. At any rate, if you haven't seen this movie then you must go rent or buy it soon!......P.S. the last 20 minutes is good!