The Temptations
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Movie Reviews of The Temptations
Movie Review: Temptations forever; or until you're replaced.
Summary: 5 Stars
I say this is the movie that started it all because it is the movie that started my fascination with the Temptations.
Of course I knew who the Temps were. I had heard all of their most popular songs, but I was never a fan...until the movie. I don't even remember how I was first introduced to the movie; only that the reruns were always shown on Vh-1 and Vh-1 Classic.
No matter how many times I watch the film, I'm still surprised by how good it is. The music, the acting, the script; it's all top-notch. I'm also impressed that all of the actors, with the exception of Leon did their own singing. These are talented guys. I especially love Christian Payton as Paul. Unfortunately, I haven't seen him or most of them in anything else since, which makes me angry when I think about the fact rappers are hired predominately to play black characters in film. Which makes me wonder why Brad Pitt will never fear losing his job to Axl Rose, but Leon will always have to fear losing his job to Snoop Dogg: another debate for another day.
A lot of folk have issues with the creative license the writers and producers took with the movie. Because I wasn't aware of the Temptations history (and to a large degree, still don't) until after I saw the film, I really have no problem with it. All movies change things. That's the nature of the celluloid beast. However, there is one omission they make that I feel would have better helped the viewer understand the story: the fact Paul had sickle-cell anemia. Why omit this? This would make it clear it wasn't just his drinking that ended his career. Also, the movie should have used more ambiguity regarding Paul's death considering the real events were so suspicious.
I also don't like the claim that because the movie is based on Otis William's viewpoint, that he somehow exaggerated the shortcomings of the other members and embellished his own virtues.
For the record, Melvin comes out as being the most well-behaved member in the movie, not Otis. And secondly, has anyone stopped to ponder that maybe Otis WAS better behaved and less inclined to indulge in vices than the other members? There is a reason why he's still alive in 2007 while the other members are dead. He must have been doing something right in regards to lifestyle. Third, the movie makes it clear not only is he an adulterer but also two-faced. So how does he come off as an angel? Fourth, the movie is not a play by play on Otis William's book, and he did not have creative control over the movie.
Bottom Line: a great, great film I could watch over and over (which is why I bought the dvd).
Movie Review: Love It!
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the VHS version several years ago and watched it last night for the first time in a long time. I remember having seen the movie when it was originally broadcast on NBC back in the late 90s.
For anyone who is a fan of Motown, the Temptations, music from the 50s-60s era - this is a must see! The movie begins in 1957 and chronicles the history not only of the Temptations but includes a lot of Motown history as well. The music is out of this world!
Because I'd seen the show when it was originally aired on TV, I realized that some key scenes had been excluded from the VHS; this was very disappointing. Note that the special was broadcast on two nights at 2 hours each and the VHS is only 2-1/2 hours long, you can figure that quite a bit had been cut. The pacing seems too quick on the VHS and you get the feeling that you missed something. Case in point: There is a scene that had been cut from the VHS that shows Paul Williams in the early years refusing a beer and drinking milk instead. But in the VHS version, the viewer is unaware of Paul's uncharacteristic descent into alcholism until later when his problem is obvious and one of the band members comments that Paul used to refuse to drink. When Otis informs the band (then called the Elgins) that they needed to come up with a new name before Mr. Gordy would allow them to audition, the boys banter names back and forth along the sidewalk in front of Hitsville U.S.A. Their struggle to think of a name was the scene that was cut and I no longer remember which one of the group came up with the Temptations. Anyway, that's just a small sampling of deleted scenes. There were many others.
I was pleasantly surprised to read in another viewer's review that the DVD contains the full version. It is well worth purchasing the film again just to have the full version, so I'm clicking this gem into my cart.
In closing, I think it should be mentioned that the movie was based upon a book by Otis Williams and that the story is told from his perspective. Although I loved their music, I was totally unaware of what went on behind-the-scenes. Sometimes fame exacts a terrible price from those who are unable to handle it.
Movie Review: Probably The Best Movie Ever
Summary: 5 Stars
I don't know where to begin. This movie is so unbelievably awesome on so many levels. I rank it up there with Titanic and Pretty Woman, no, you know what - this movie is better. The cast is superb, not only acting but dancing AND SINGING. Props should be given to the actors who re-recorded basically ALL of the songs in THEIR OWN voices, especially Terron Brooks and Christian Payton - this fact seems to be overlooked often or not known. Along with the great performances from all of the characters, especially Leon, Christian, Terron, Charles and DB, the film-making was top notch.
Scenes so unforgettable that point out the skill of film-making is of course the wonderful part where the Tempts are in B/W on TV performing 'My Girl' and then they fade into color. This is so genius and gets me every time.
Also the scene where they kick David out of the band and the four of them are facing the window. Then Paul turns the other way, and you can see the camera in slow motion pausing for effect as if to say, 'Paul, you are next'. Pure genius.
And of course my favorite part of all, the nostalgic end, where after all of the original Tempts have now died except Otis, it is haunting how they are seemingly 'resurrected', shown in all of their purple glory. They are performing 'My Girl' as if from heaven along with sad narration from Otis. After their exquisitely choreographed TO-THE-NINES performance, they bow, and Otis saying, "Temptations (pause -voice breaks) Forever" makes me tear up every time. That is so awesome. This is what filmmaking should be about.
I know that there are people complaining about the accuracy of the film and I understand their gripes, but all films based on real life usually change stuff up for 'dramatic effect'. In this case, it works extremely well and is probably the factor that makes this movie a TOTAL CLASSIC.
Movie Review: Papa Was a Rollin' Stone
Summary: 5 Stars
The Temptations is one of the best movies ever made. The film is on my personal Top Ten List. Based on the memoirs of founding member Otis Williams, it tells the story of how the Temptations came to be. The whole undertaking is done with such love, dedication, and devotion, that you cannot help but be swept away in this story of the rise to fame and fortune of a group of dreaming black kids from Detroit.
You get to see what it was really like behind the scenes of Motown, how Berry Gordy ran his breakthrough, genius, music revolution at Hitsville, U.S.A. You see that some things have changed about the music industry, and some things remain the same. For example, today record labels will dump someone after one failing album. Gordy supported the Tempations for two years before they had a hit. He had faith in them, faith that you just no longer see today in a music industry based on profits and greed. And something that remains the same is that there are still unscrupulous promoters out there who will take advantage of a young and naiive group. Also, touring on the road is still a big strain on marriages of the performers. The movie has as much heartbreak in it as it does joy.
Everything about The Temptations is sublime. The singing will make you get up and dance. Every song is performed in its entirety. The times are portrayed so well, from the segregated 50's all the way up to the 1990's. Everything is changed to match each passing decade: the hair, the clothes, the lighting, the music, even the filmography. Featuring the real Smokey Robinson as himself, this film is not to be missed by anyone who loves the Motown classics. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get this incredible buzz - and you will never look at the Tempations the same way again.
Movie Review: Love It!
Summary: 5 Stars
I first saw this movie several years ago at my sister's house during the Christmas holidays. I loved it, and watch it over and over again. All the children in the family love it to, and we would stop the tape and practice the temptation walk. They were so tickled at the wigs that looked liked bird nests. Of course, I had to explain that they were trying to get the hair to looked conked.
The music, singing, and dancing, and the story line was fantastic. This is by far my favorite movie to watch. I never tire of it. It has become a classic holiday and any time movie in my family.
The men where all fine as wine and so easy on my eyeballs. The man that played Melvin has that black man, sexy walk that makes me want to holler. The gentleman that played Paul could move those hips something awful. Poetry in motion I say. The Eddie Kendrick character who is just a cutety pie. Leon is sexy as he want to be. He was excellent as David Ruffin. Otis the man with the level head. It was truely an ensemble cast.
For folks complaining about it being fictionalized, come on y'all, this is a drama for entertainment purposes, not a documentary.
This movie is better than 90% of the commercial movies that are released yearly. Again there are a few movies I can watch over and over. This is one of them.
"I Know you want leave me, but I refuse to let you go. If I have to beg and plead for you sympathy, I don't mind cause you me that much to me. Ain't too proud to beg sweet darling." This is one of favorite songs and scenes in the movie with Leon. Oh lawd, I feel like I am about the catch the spirit y'all.