Pluskylang Great Film overall

FirstWitch A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

Kaydan Christian A terrific literary drama and character piece that shows how the process of creating art can be seen differently by those doing it and those looking at it from the outside.

Zlatica One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

heathfilmore She is playing the "Miss Ross" idea of Billie Holiday--she doesn't even attempt to sing like Billie. A shameful showcase for "Miss Ross" and a disservice to "Miss Holiday. Dreadful.

MarkJGarcia A young 28 year old Diana Ross earned an Oscar nomination for this 1972 movie about Billie Holiday. "Lady Sings the Blues" is a song written by jazz singer Billie Holiday, and jazz pianist Herbie Nichols. It is the title song to her 1956 album. In my opinion I thought Diana Ross did an OK job at portraying the troubled Billie Holiday. The many ups and downs of this famous singer are brought to life with Diana's performance. A co-star in the movie who I thought did a great job was 32 year old Richard Pryor. Pryor came through really well as someone who offered much support to Billie Holiday from very early on. Although there is some doubt of the accuracy of the book in which this movie is based, I still found it enjoyable enough to watch.

gkeith_1 Nice movie. Billy Dee a heartthrob; no doubt about it. Richard Pryor a joy to see. Diana did a fine acting job. Even playing the teenage part in the beginning, she essayed it quite well. She brought forth the young-girl-skipping on the sidewalk, all the time the audience knowing that the would-be-rapist was looking for her. This was quite chilling, and only we knew or figured what was about to happen. The Mary Jane shoes, followed by the camera, would lead us to the dastardly deed that would soon take place.I do think Diana did a great job moving through the different age ranges. She also went from innocent looking young girl to well dressed cabaret singer. She went from shy beginning singer to confident entertainer. I think Diana's overall presentation was superlative.Scatman was a hoot. I had seen him in old codger parts, but as "Big Ben" he was quite a character. I realized that this was to shatter his stereotype of the nice old man. As "Big Ben", he was outrageously funny. Billie finally decided she had had enough of these 'tricks'.Scatman playing the john reminds me of Shirley Jones playing the prostitute in Elmer Gantry. Shattering the nice-character stereotypes is always good for the acting resume.I thought that Billie with her mother was good. Her mother really loved her, plus the fancy red hat, too. The mother was kind, and very sweet. She wanted Billie to have success as an entertainer.Best of all, Billie's beginning breakdown in the prison was quite believable and scary. This proves she is an actress who can act in a lot of different emotions. The straitjacket scene was heartbreaking.10/10.

Lawson The first question that would run across the mind of anyone who'd watch this movie is: "Can Diana Ross act?" The answer, I'm glad to say, is an unequivocal "Yes." And I think that's what the director wanted to clear up right from the very first scene, with a flash forward to Billie Holiday's drug bust while the credits were still on. Ms. Ross, devoid of make-up and with "crazy hair," put on an extremely convincing performance of heroin (or coke) withdrawal, replete with howling.Her performance is the highlight of the movie, which unfortunately felt like it ran way too long, and I found myself constantly checking the run time. It wasn't bad as a musical. As I had read previously, Ms. Ross didn't seek to imitate Billie Holiday's style, and instead created a distinct and appropriate - yet similar - jazz style of her own just for the movie (check out "Good Morning Heartache"), and I, being a fan, didn't mind the song interludes.What dragged the movie was the constant focus on Holiday's drug addiction (to showcase more of Ms. Ross's acting?). It felt like there was scene after scene of her being drug-addled, whining, and screaming, which began to abrade after a while. It's too bad, since with better direction and screenplay, coupled with Ms. Ross's capable acting and singing, this could've been one of the truly great musical biopics.