Lady Sings the Blues
Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.
Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a ...
Drama, Music
-
1972
Available on
Country
Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.
Director:
Cast:
Similar
Details
Rated:
R
Runtime:
144 min
Release date:
12 Oct 1972
Country:
US
Languages:
English
Budget:
$2,000,000
Revenue:
$19,726,490
Awards:
Nominated for 5 Oscars. 5 wins & 8 nominations total
Top Critics Reviews
fresh:
Ross conveys the vulnerability and determination of her character across a very believable arc of maturation.
– Douglas Pratt,
Hollywood Reporter,
24 Jan 2006
rotten:
How is it possible for a movie that is otherwise so dreadful to contain such a singularly attractive performance in the title role?
– Vincent Canby,
New York Times,
9 May 2005
fresh:
The movie is filled with many of the great Billie Holiday songs, and Ross handles them in an interesting way. She doesn't sing in her own style, and she never tries to imitate Holiday, but she sings somehow in the manner of Holiday.
– Roger Ebert,
Chicago Sun-Times,
23 Oct 2004
fresh:
Clearly, it's an affront to Holiday's art, but just as clearly, it's a good piece of low entertainment.
– Dave Kehr,
Chicago Reader,
1 Jan 2000