Customer Reviews

The Jacksons - An American Dream [VHS]

5 star:		(76)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

"The Jacksons - An American Dream" was very enjoyable to watch, although those of us who grew up with the Jackson 5 know that there was a LOT left out and several inaccuracies in the script. But perhaps the things that were hinted at or weren't mentioned at all in the movie is what made the biggest impression. It isn't necessary to get into all of the scenarios that were missed, but I will say this movie did well to give you a very general understanding of just what Michael, Marlon, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie, and later on, Randy Jackson went through on the road to fame and during the height of their popularity. IMO, the reason Papa Joe Jackson (played excellently by Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs) worked his kids so hard is because he himself was an unsuccessful musician, and wanted a better future for them. Now I absolutely do not condone the harsh methods he used to discipline his children - but I do understand it.

Now on to the movie...The beginning, which concentates on the life of the young Katherine growing up in Chicago, drags a bit. But it's after the kids are born when the story starts to get interesting. Angela Bassett is effective in her role as the family matriarch, Katherine Jackson, but I've seen Angela in much stronger roles and being cast as the long-suffering wife of Joe Jackson didn't really suit her. But given the material she had to work with, she did a fine job.

The rest of the cast was alright - worth noting are Billy Dee Williams as Motown founder Berry Gordy; Vanessa L. Williams as Berry's protege Suzanne dePasse; Bumper Robinson and Terence Howard, who both played oldest brother Jackie but at different ages; and the son of the real Jermaine Jackson, Jermaine II, playing his father as a teenager - however, who had the horrendous idea of casting Holly Robinson as Diana Ross?! Ugh. She was totally unconvincing and almost laughable. The kids, who were mostly unknowns, were pretty much on point, especially the talented Jason Weaver as the pre-teen Michael (he gives a dead-on performance in this role); the late Wylie Draper, who played the adult Michael; and the actor who portrayed the adult Jermaine, Colin Steele. Their performances were among the best in the film.

I would like to address a couple of remarks that some previous reviewers brought up: WHEN was it implied that Joe Jackson was having an affair with Suzanne dePasse? That must be something I missed, because nothing like that was ever even hinted at. Joe did have a mistress, but it was NOT Ms. dePasse. Also, this was supposed to be the story of the Jackson 5, NOT Janet or Latoya Jackson, so this is why they were barely mentioned...and that suited me just fine. Overall, this is a good film to sit back and enjoy on a Sunday afternoon, although there were parts that were a bit corny, like the constant mention of getting to California being the measure of success in Joe and Katherine's eyes. But Jackson fans are sure to love it and will definitely want to make it part of their collection.

I ordered this DVD a few weeks ago as a gift for my duaghter. We gave it to her a few days before her birthday the night Michael Jackson died. We viewed it over the next three nights and wow! My husband and I saw it when it aired on network television in the early nineties and thought it was great televison and a wonderful, great story then. But now, in the light of the global mourning over the death of Michael Jackson - it is just phenomenal. That family gave a lot to the entertainment industry and to the world. And the world loved them for it. My admiration, thanks and sincere appreciation go out to the Jackson Family and the producers (Jermaine Jackson and Motown Executive Suzanne DePasse were a couple of them) for making this "Amercian Dream" story.

This movie.... is the movie for all ages. My kids love it. When I first saw this movie I fell in love with it. I had tape both parts had it for years, then it got lost. I took it over to someon's house and they could never find it. I've always tried to tape it again but never had the opportunity to do so. Evey character is this movie was casted well. I was not disappointed at no time. This movie is a classic, and all Black Americans should have this movie in their homes. I would like to get my hand on the video for purchase, but every-where I go says that it's not availible. Why?, I do not know. This movie should be in high demand. Why doesn't the publisher make more availible to us. Why is it that this particular video is hard to get a hold of? If anyone out there, publisher, someone that has knowledge to how I could get a hold to this video, please let me know. I would really appreciate it. I've been looking off and on for about 3years, so if you know anything please e-mail me with the information.

Someone here asked about him, and his name is Wylie Draper. The movie was released in 1992, and sadly, Wylie died in 1993. He had leukemia.

I really enjoyed this movie!! I didn't even know this movie existed! :O It was filmed 1 year before "The Scandal" so that could be why. *rolls eyes* So many more hidden treasures I know I will find from Michael and The Jacksons for the rest of my life--too bad he had to die for these treasures to surface. Heh. I was very impressed and completely engulfed in watching the rise of The Jackson 5 and Michael finally going out on his own. Watching the story between his parents is pretty compelling, too... even though, I'm sure there is a WHOLE lot more to it. Another masterpiece that I have missed out on because of the media morons. Doesn't matter anymore... this movie is about Victory--and Michael will ALWAYS have it!! ;) 5 STARS!!!

Also, I don't know why people are giving the movie 1 star because of Amazon's service. These are MOVIE reviews, and people like me read them and actually take them into consideration when we make a purchase. Please don't give a movie a low rating just because you had problems with your order. It has nothing to do with the movie itself. I'm sure a LOT of people would appreciate this. Thanks. :)

This mini series is amazing. It catches the true life story of the jacksons and how their life changed through the years. For once this mini series gives you a glimps into the real world of michael and the jacksons. Thsi is a true gift for any jackson fan.

THE MINI-SERIES SHOWS MORE ABOUT THE FAMLY AND ABOUT EACH OF THE BROTHERS. THEY HAD THEIR OWN DIFFRENT STORIES TO TELL, INCLUDING THEIR SISTERS. I THOUGHT WYLIE DRAPPER LOOKS EXACTLY LIKE MICHAEL WHEN HE DID AS HE SANG BILLIEJEAN. I DON'T LIKE TO GET TOO PERSONAL ABOUT WHAT HAPPEND TO THE REAL FAMILY. ALL THAT MATTERS IS THAT

I'M A FAN BUT, HOWEVER I THOUGHT JEREMAINE JACKSON DID A WONDERFUL JOB PRODUCING IN HIS OWN VERSION FROM HIS MOM'S AUTOBIOGRAPHY.

"MY FAMILY" THE JACKSONS, WRITTEN BY KATHRINE JACKSON AND RICHARD WISEMAN. I LOVED THE SCENES MORE ABOUT MICHAEL IN THIS MINISERIES. IT'S LIKE," WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT ". THIS IS THE TRUTH AND THEY ARE STILL VERY POPULAR TODAY.

Its really great to know that the miniseries The Jacksons: An American dream is finally out in DVD format. The quality is really good, it contains 2 DVDs... but I am very disaappointed when I learned that no additional features (or extras) inside!
How come ???

Joe Jackson had dreams as a young man. He wanted to be a boxer and musician and go to California. But he got his girlfriend, Katherine, pregnant and he did the honorable thing--he married her. He tabled his dreams for his family, working in the steel mills of Gary, Indiana, to put foood on the table. A religious and principled man (the Jacksons were Jehovah Witnesses), he took family seriously and since he didn't believe in birth control or abortion, he had a lot of kids--9 altogether. On occasion he was brutal--but if any of you are parents, can you imagine how brutal you might get having 10 people depending on you?

Gossip and badmouthing from the kids paint Joe Jackson as a tyrant--and he may have some very large flaws--but one thing is very clear: he never abandoned his family. He transformed his dreams to fit the talent of his children and took all of them out of a probable bleak destiny in Gary to the height of world recognition. I'm amazed by that, frankly.

This movie is definitely worth watching for many reasons. Though poor, this was a close knit family smothered in love and support by both parents. Angela Bassett is touching as usual, all mothery and love, but able to stand up to Joe when he gets a little too tough with the boys. Her children are still devoted to her. Lawrence Tillman as Joe Jackson gives a multi-dimensioned father. Proud of his children, a stern taskmaster, a visionary--as much a visionary as Berry Gordy--a family man who is complex and flawed. I loved the scene at the Apollo where he embraces Michael and gets off to his children performing Twist and Shout. We also see the music business during the Motown Age and the inner workings of Berry Gordy's Motown at the height of its success. Now Billy Dee Williams gives Gordy way too much sex appeal...but I enjoyed the charm anyway.

The boy who played preteen Michael was simply adorable and highly talented as singer and dancer. His singing of Kansas City and Twist and Shout in the first half had me moving. The second half, when the family is breaking up as Michael's star ascends was somewhat painful. The father loses control over his creation, Hollywood values destroy family unity, Katherine suffers from empty nest. But what an achievement.

I loved the fact that this is 4 hours long--it's like a good book you don't want to end. No doubt this story will be retold in fuller detail, but I suspect that story would take 8 hours. I'm looking forward to it.

If you are MJ fans, this is a MUST HAVE. If you have children in house, It is the best movie for teaching them how to pursue a dream, an american dream...

The Actors did good job for telling the Jacksons story. I felt so sorrry for Wylie Hughes Draper Jr, "his role as Michael Jackson,was a dancer in Michael Jackson's video "Remember the time" too. Around 1993 Wylie was diagnosed as having a rare form of Leukemia, it is not known how long he battled illness or how he battled the disease, but what is known is that Wylie a talented young man with a bright future ahead of him was taken way too soon, he died December 20th 1993 in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 24, one year after filming The Jacksons. RIP, Wylie. You are dancing with our loved one Michael Jackson in heaven now. we miss Michael and Wylie forever..