Customer Reviews

Behind the Camera - Charlie's Angels

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

While the book this was based on (Charlie's Angels Casebook) had some great insight on one of my all time favorite shows - the movie version does little to shed any real light on the coming and going of the Angels. The recreation of David Doyles Bosley is a travesty and a true disservice to his memory. Kate Jackson (although the most convincing played by any of the actresses)is a beer bottle guzzling hard ass. No wonder Kate posted on her own website asking people to NOT watch this film when it originally aired on television. Farrah was so upset by the movie and all of the presumptions made of her life at the time that she refuses to even discuss the film. While all of these behind the scenes films are geared toward the lowest common denominator - This one reaches to the very bottom of the trash heap to entertain(?)

This movie mainly focuses on the controversy about Farrah Fawcette decision to leave the show after the first season, her relationship with actor Lee Majors and the court battle with Producer Aarron Spelling.

To me, this T.V. movie about the show, should have been made into a two part series. From what I have read over the years about the show, the real "drama" began during the start of the second season and it is now known that, Kate Jackson and Cheryl Ladd did not get along at all. Not only that, but also Ms. Jackson's feud with both Aarron Spelling and Leonard Goldberg.

Also, it would have been more interesting if, the movie went more indepth about the other stars personal lives and how the show was affecting their relationships as well. People don't realize, but during Charlies Angels run, Kate Jackson, Jacklyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd all got divorces from their spouses.

...since it is told from the point of view of her Manager at the time (presumably the only way NBC, which owns nothing realted to Charlie's Angels could get it made). Everyone is competent and for anyone who really loves the show it will be worth it to see even a little "behind the scenes" talk. But the emphasis on Farrah and the lack of of much drama don't make for a really compelling film. And given that for many fans, Jaclyn Smith is seen as the real backbone of the show, the slim attention to her and her storyline will be frustrating. Better to buy the full season sets... but if you're waiting for the next one, you might enjoy this.

If you are a true fan of Charlies Angels, this one is worth the money spent. The Actresses that played the original trio were very convincing with Kate being the best portrayed by Lauren Stammie, Christina Chambers as Jacylin, who did her voice really well, but the one who played Farrah, Trica Heffer had the look of Farrah, but that was about it. On the other hand , the way the original scienes from the first season were so horribly inacurate, it was sick. I am referring to the reinactment of the shower sciene from Angels in Chains. It was so far off the orginal it was not even funny. Another thing, is the way the movie potrayed David Doyle, which would make the real mcoy turn over in his grave and flip the bird. It made him look like a total bufoon. Oh and they forgot to mention the Jacyln Smith clothing line as one of her sucesses at the end of the flim. Ok other than those little indiscretions, i thought the movie was worth the price paid , and tells the story failry well, and period perfect to say the least, all in the flair and lime green disco atomsphere of the seventies.

Another scandal-free TV movie comes to DVD. As a big fan of the original series in all it's jumping-up-&-down(literally)glory, I waited with high hopes to view this promising "behind-the-screens" biopic. I figured they had to go one of two ways - camp or scandal. Well, they didn't do either. This is just a brief history that glosses over everything in 10 seconds flat. NOT A CAT-FIGHT ANYWHERE. Darn it. This was a non-sensational movie about a very sensational(at the time)TV show. Someone missed the point here. It could have been SO much more. I have seen other behinds-the-scenes biographies with actual interviews(both then & now)with the girls & when Cheryl Ladd joined the cast she made it quite clear that the two remaining Angels were(initally)quite mean to her. Where the heck was any of that ?! That's what we want to see ! I don't even really recall "Cheryl" being in this for more than a passing moment - another golden opportunity forgone...(sigh). You could watch this with your Grandma, but again it's a TV Movie. The one point of interest (albeit for die-hard fans only) is the actresses they have cast as the 3 original Angels. They were fantastic & really did their homework in terms of representing the girls. Very believable as Kate, Farrah & Jaclyn. Lauren & Christina (who played Kate & Jaclyn respectivly) even had their speech patterns down-pat. I guess that surmizes my review: For the "jiggle heard around the world" this was disappointingly-impressive. Enjoy, my Angels...

I don't know how they got these ladies to do such a great job as the Angles, but I loved it.

The actresses were very believable, but to true C.A. Fans, it was a bit disappointing. Should not have "gone there".

it shows these 3 diva's at the beginning of their careers. dvd could be better, but its great

I enjoyed this made for TV-movie when it first aired on NBC. I've always been a major-major fan of Charlie's Angels. I thought everyone did a great job. In certain scenes the actors really did look like the original actors. I enjoyed the feel of the TV-movie and the music. The actress playing Kate Jackson really did a great job, she sounded just like Kate/Sabrina. Amazon has set a great price for this DVD. What do you have to lose. It's fun entertainment.

I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of this movie. Each and every aspect of the Charlie's Angels drama comes to fruition in an impressive way--though I don't stress the reality of every event as I do the portrayal of the characters. In particular, Dan Castellaneta (as Aaron Spelling) and Lauren Stamile (as Kate Jackson) are worth the watch. Castellaneta is always a pleasure to watch (his voicework in the Simpsons alone proves his unique talent). But newcomer Lauren Stamile is quite possibly an even more pleasant first. Her brief stint in Off Centre was tremendously entertaining (Paul Weitz never fails), and I'm happy to see that she has been hard at work. Though after such an incredible performance (with, what seems to me, a masterfully accurate impersonation of Kate Jackson's voice and carefully nuanced mannerisms), I cannot help but ask where has she gone?! So many cliched actors out there are getting all the work. Let's see more of Lauren Stamile! As for the other Angels, they too were outstanding. Not as standout-ish as the former two, but without a doubt the whole cast brought to life a very dark and lasciviously extraordinary era in television. I hope NBC (or any other major network) continues to create docudramas of other headline television programs. A+++ production, quality entertainment indeed.