Double Platinum (1999 TV Movie) User Reviews

Too Much Weeping for Me

[Devans00 · 7/10 · 25 July 2000]

Overall, it was a well told story. True, it's been done before (what story hasn't), but I still liked this spin on it. As Diana Ross wanted, we could all see she still looks wonderful, even though she has 5 grown kids. I had to laugh at the artfully placed ferns in the shower scene, though. The biggest negative was that Brandy was crying her eyes out every other scene. I felt like it detracted from the story by the end of the movie.

worth a watch...

[jaye50-1 · 7/10 · 29 March 2020]

If this movie were made today we'd have a hundred posts here about "feminist bs and crap" about how all of the male characters were scum and how sick the posters are of female empowerment movies... well... maybe not seeing as how all of the male bad guys were black... and all of the white guys were benevolent...

anyway... i don't like ross... i'm well versed in her history and what kind of person she actually is... she's pretty phony... and not believable as a repentant mother... and she can't act... i am amazed at how she gave such a masterful performance in lady sings the blues... she was really robbed of the oscar... and how she gave such a wooden delivery here... i guess directors really do earn their money...

brandy was pretty good... i read one review that said that brandy wasn't as pretty as diana in her youth... that reviewer must have been a women... because i have never heard a man describe brandy as anything other than gorgeous... i read another review that described the music as pitiful... the songs written for the movie were pretty commonplace... but the songs "almost doesn't count" and especially "have you ever" are songs for the ages... it's worth the price of admission to see brandy perform them...

all in all... not a movie that will go down as one of the greatest... but enjoyable for a saturday afternoon...

Look, It's NOT that bad!

[Scoval71 · 6/10 · 22 December 2006]

Why all the negative reviews here? I think the movie was fine. And I liked it very much. I have one other review about another Diana Ross movie on my comments, and I repeat what I said there. Diana Ross is a superb talent--both as an actress and as a singer, This movie was somewhat far fetched, plot wise, but it showcased the enormous singing and acting---yes acting---talents of both Diana Ross and Brandy. Brandy is a fine actress and great singer in her own right. She is huge talent. The movie is good entertainment and I recommend it. Brandy, in a way, is sort of a younger version of Diana Ross. Well, she is not as pretty as once was Diana Ross, but she holds her own. I liked this movie and I enjoyed it.

Fine performances by Diana Ross and Brandy

[Michael_Pilkington · 19 May 1999]

I have nothing but good things to say about this mother/daughter film. Diana Ross is a famous diva who leaves her baby daughter behind with her husband for a promising music gig. Eighteen years later, she arranges to meet up with her 18-year-old (Brandy, in a fine performance) who wants to be a singer as well. To make up for lost time, the mother tries to give her daughter a boost in her career. Brandy only performs two songs ("Almost Doesn't Count" and "Have You Ever?") from her album, Never Say Never. Brandy, you deserve plenty of credit for this movie. My evaluation: A

Isn't there a law against waste of talent on this scale?

[PaulineDorchester · 4/10 · 18 May 1999]

Never mind Diana Ross (who is actually not half bad) and Brandy Norwood, and never mind the utterly insipid music. What makes this movie an outrage is how it wastes the time and talent of several of the best stage actors in New York. It does not even show them off at their best: while I yield to nobody in my admiration for Roger Rees, he simply is not convincing as an American, and to give Brian Stokes Mitchell a non-singing role in a musical simply boggles the mind.

Of course, this really isn't a musical at all. A musical is a work in which songs are used to advance the plot and establish and develop the characters. This, on the other hand, is a series of music videos surrounded by dialogue that this film does not bode ill for the revival of the television musical.

Not so much double platinum, more fool's gold.

[Victor Field · 4/10 · 20 January 2001]

Further proof that Americans aren't as tasteless as many Brits insist comes from the news that this TV movie was a resounding (and deserved) flop when it aired on ABC - Diana Ross' first film since "The Wiz" casts her as a singing superstar who abandoned her daughter (played by Brandy) in her bid for superstardom, and now wishes to a) get back into her life and b) give her a hand in making it herself. The two stars also served as two of the FIVE executive producers, making this a vanity project times two - our divas take it in turns to exercise their lungs, and if you're a fan of either you may enjoy it on that basis alone.

But unfortunately the laughable dramatics and inability to believe the two women could be related (in anything other than egomania) makes this tough sledding. You may find yourself wishing that the fisherman from "I Still Know What You Did Last Summer" would show up and finish Brandy off once and for all - and go after Miss Ross for good measure.

And as for Diana's clothes - WHY?

Brandy and Diana Ross did one of the best movies I've seen.

[CareyM · 10/10 · 18 May 1999]

It was really cool. They both are very talented, and they did a wonderful movie that had me emptying a box of Kleenex. It's about Olivia King (Diana Ross) reuniting with her daughter after 18 years. Kayla Harris, (Brandy) goes with her mother to NY where she becomes famous. Then she and her mother fight and she is left out on the street after finding out her mother was right about her Boyfriend. Then at the end she and her mom perform a wonderful song called "Love is all That Matters" and it's a great movie for anyone who loves music or BRANDY!

It Was Okay

[IrisNo11 · 4/10 · 3 August 1999]

I thought it was interesting having two really great R&B divas each from a different generation...Diana Ross from the 1960's and 1970's, and Brandy from the 90's. I thought it was touching in some ways and shows a beautiful relationship between a mother and her daughter. Yet what I found quite strange was the fact that they used Brandy and Diana's real life songs (as if Diana and Brandy don't even exist) instead of writing different songs for the movie for Kayla and Oliva. Plus, the plot and idea of this movie is all too common.

So, I rate "Double Platinum" 4, because to be honest, it could've been better.

Diana Ross' finest film since Lady Sings The Blues

[alanbill1074 · 10/10 · 1 July 2000]

I am a huge Diana Ross fan, and as such I was compelled to watch this movie just to see her. What I found, however, is that I actually FORGOT that I was watching Diana Ross and really began to believe that this person was Olivia King (her character), which to me is the sign of a good actor and script. The story concerns a wannabe singer who abandons her young child (played by Brandy) to pursue what becomes a Diana Ross level-of-success singing career.

As the film progresses, the two are reunited. What ensues are some extremely moving scenes between the two as Miss Ross attempts to gain her daughters forgiveness, respect and love by helping her with her own fledgling singing career and trying to be the mother she never had.

There are some great songs by both artists. Several of Brandy's biggest hits are featured, and Miss Ross performs some of her most enchanting music in years, particularly the ballad 'Someone That You Loved Before' and 'He Lives In You' (both featured on her album Every Day Is A New Day, which is well worth purchasing). An exclusive duet was written for the two stars by Diane Warren - Love Is All That Matters, and is featured as a duet in the film.

Both the DVD and video versions feature a promotional video clip by each artist.

Was this a movie or promotion?

[kenyae-cagle · 4/10 · 5 July 2020]

First, I wanna say I understand that this is a movie. Second, horrible acting! Third, poorly edited! Brandy is a ugly crier. Diana Ross was a horrible actress. Cheap music uses of only their songs only. Movie needed work. Last, this movie horribly use of slow motion in wrong places that didn't even need slow motion

Double Platinum features Diana Ross, an Oscar nominee and popular singer, in a very good performance in a film that could have been better but which is not bad.

[dgarrett31 · 21 February 2002]

Diana Ross received good notices for her work in Lady Sings the Blues, including approving comments from leading film critic Pauline Kael, and also from noted literary writer James Baldwin, one of the leading African-American writers of the 20th century. She also received an Academy Award nomination for that performance. Her performance as a woman suffering from a severe mental illness in the television film Out of Darkness received very good reviews in 1993, two decades after Lady. Her performance as a woman who sacrifices her family to achieve success as a singing star in Double Platinum was much awaited--Ross should have made many more films than she has and so her performances are highly anticipated. In Double Platinum, she presented a sensitive but determined woman, elegant, self-confident, tormented but disciplined, a believable success, a fascinating but mysterious personality. The film was not deep--it told us nothing we did not already know about family or success, but both Ross and Brandy had good singing and acting moments, doing the kind of work people who get more attention from the media--cover stories, award nominations--would be glad to do. Just as Ross had much success in the past, she now seems to have to fight a great deal of negative assumptions, an odd karmic reversal.

Big Broadway stars but no Broadway

[marbleann · 4/10 · 4 July 2006]

First thing I want to say is why have one of the finest singers alive, Brian Stokes Mitchell in a musical in a non singing role? I was sure somewhere in the story Mama Ross was going to say she met her husband singing in a band and perhaps we would see some flashbacks. No he was a Saxaphone player. What were they thinking? Maybe because he sings to well. The movie involves Diana Ross who abandons her daughter and hubby to find fame. I think she looks very good but I am not buying her being Brandy's mother. I think she is a little too old for the part. Other then that I think she does a pretty good job. She comes back years later to reclaim her daughter. Why Diana is still wearing that weave only she knows, Her wig when she was younger looked much better. Brandy who is very pleasant but IMO has a very weak voice, but no worse then the current teen queens Hillary Duff and Lindsey Lohan. But Brandy has something very endearing about her that IMO puts her above most of the teen queens.

She is angry, she comes to NY, she makes a record, she meets a boyfriend who is a dog, she moves out of her mothers Penthouse, she becomes a star, she gets hurt by her boyfriend and comes back to mommy in a big long bonding scene in cabin. Everything ends well but what happened to her father and her best friend? They vanish just like mommy did years earlier.

Why Roger Rees and Harvey Fierstine and Chritina Ebersole is in this bit of fluff Lord only knows. They have three four of the biggest Broadway stars in the flick and you hardly see them. it was like they were friends of Diana and decided to do the movie as a favor for her.

If you have a few hours to waste this is a OK movie. I must d there was a scene when Brnady's record is played on the radio for the first time. A obligatory scene in movies of this type. Well Diana goes to wake randy up so she can her her song on the radio, Brandy asks Diana what is this is this Mommie Dearest. I died I wish more lines were as clever as that one.

A Bit Of A Let Down

[jesselatimer_1992 · 3/10 · 22 August 2011]

OK i know I'm a little late to be reviewing a movie that came out in the late 90s, but whatever here it goes.

I finally saw the film last night, and i was looking forward to it because i had wanted to see it for years. And it had first come out when i was about 7 years old. Now I love Diana Ross'es voice and I've been a fan of Brandy for a very longtime. Bouth this woman can act and sing very well IMO. But i don't know,something just didn't click for me when i was watching this movie. You would think its a good story before viewing it. Yet, in reality its really isn't something you will keep you at the end of your set to see what happens next. I'm a of them, but when i make reviews for ANYTHING i always tell the truth.

Also felt the movie was a way for bouth Brandy and Diana's albums, i think this is fine...but the movie just made it so obvious. You can go 10 minutes with out hearing a song from eather of their albums.

Double Platinum - A Great Uplifting, Heart-warming Movie!

[Lisa Wheildon · 10/10 · 24 November 2001]

I must admit, I am not a big fan of movies that have been made for TV, but Double Platinum surprised me - it is definitely the only made-for-TV movie that, in my opinion, is worth watching.

The movie focuses around the two main characters Olivia King (played by Diana Ross) and Kayla Harris (played by Brandy) and their struggles as they try to reignite the mother-daughter relationship that was non-existent for 18 years between the two.

Olivia, a struggling club singer in St Louis, is offered the opportunity to go to New York in order to pursue her dream of becoming a famous singer. However, in order for her to do this, she has to leave her baby daughter Kayla behind.

Eighteen years later, Kayla wins a contest run by a local radio station to meet her favourite singer Olivia King (whom she doesn't know is her Mum at the time). From there, the story progresses and Olivia helps Kayla, a club singer in St Louis herself (ironically enough), to establish her career as a singer in new York.

This is a truly heart-warming, feel-good movie. By the end of the movie, you will believe that love is all that matters. Watch Double Platinum and you will not be disappointed!

Not as bad as you might think

[robman-5 · 9/10 · 15 September 1999]

Expecting the worst I was actually pleasantly surprised at Double Platinum. Granted this won't win any Emmy's, it is a pleasant way to kill a couple of hours. Both Diana Ross and Brandy sing and act very well, and the score is excellent. There are worse ways to spend an evening.

I liked it.

[RKOE732090 · 10/10 · 17 March 2001]

I got this movie on DVD and really enjoyed it. I think Diana Ross and Brandy both gave performances worthy of an Oscar. This is a very well-done movie if you can accept the basic premise that a famous mother would not be able to make any contact with her young daughter for 15 years. But, of course, all good fiction is based on the notion that a reader (or viewer) is in the mood to contribute a "willing suspension of disbelief." Once you cross that small hurdle, you can enjoy a wonderful movie. I gave this movie a rating of 10. It's that good.

Watch for the vocals!

[mpmunoz-62990 · 10/10 · 1 February 2021]

I liked the movie, but I LOVED the singing! I forgot how great Ms Ross sings and Brandy was an added bonus. I am soo glad I watched this movie!

This movie was good.....

[Aztec16 · 9 August 2004]

I enjoyed seeing Brandy and Diana Ross on screen together. It was really interesting. Brandy's a great singer and actress, although this is the first movie I've seen her in. I would definitely watch this one again. The story affected me in a nifty way and I think that the whole movie was just done up right. I understand that many people don't like these types of movies, but they're made anyways, for people who might just enjoy them such as myself. I'm a musician and it affected me profoundly, having been adopted 22 years ago.......so, I think to others who are in the same situation...it might have an impact. I'd recommend this to people if they were interested in what I had to say.

Marvellous!

[v2hot4u01 · 10/10 · 2 July 2001]

This film is one of my favorites. I loved watching it. Brandy and Diana Ross teamed up for an outrageous performance about a girl who is left by her mother, a famous singer named Olivia King. 18 years later, she comes back to win her motherhood back and help her daughter Keila with her singing career.

To see what happenes in this touching film, please buy it or rent it. You'll love it.

A classic

[leitner-30271 · 10/10 · 22 December 2019]

Brandy and diana together have amazing chemistry. Never say never album premotion!!!!$

great film

[lisacartergismo · 8/10 · 27 January 2007]

i thought the film was very good i watched it twice, i think there is a lot of truth to the plot in the film its called life,choices and consequences and brandy and Diana played it well so what if they didn't write the song so what if they where 2 of the 5 directors does it really matter the film looked at a choice a mother made to get a career for her self so when she was offered a chance of a life time she tried to get her husband on board but he didn't believe in her how many people would turn it down i wouldn't but the film is about choices and the consequences that you have to take to become a star or what ever choices you make in your life. great film one to watch if you believe in life,choices and consequence's

The best movie I have EVER seen!

[DixieCarter · 10/10 · 16 March 2001]

I have commented on this film once before, and I want to comment on it again, I just love this film, since my last comment, I have grew to love Ms.Ross more than ever, I have researched her, read her book, got her autograph, and continued to watch this movie, I truly just love all of the characters performances, not just Ms. Ross's. I like Brian Stokes-Mitchells and Brandy's as well, they are just all very talented!! I just believe this was the best casted tv movie ever, sure, they might have all been something they're not, and sure, they used their own songs, but I mean, it's a tv movie, not something with a grand opening with a bunch of stars in hollywood, it's an ABC tv movie, they're not going to go all out and have them learn new songs, it's a great way for ABC to earn some money and for Ms. Ross and Brandy to promote their cds. I just think you guys are being a little too babyish about it, no they didn't go all out, and I don't think very many people expected them to, just remember the key word here, TELEVISION!!! So just drop the whole thing and grow up!!!!

Great movie! Stop Hating!

[romeovision2002 · 9/10 · 24 July 2020]

Diana Ross was great in this movie. I loved the real tears. I also found all of her acting believable with the exception on one scene in the dressing room when she is arguing with someone on the phone. She said "OK" at least 20 times. I thought Brandy was great but one tearful moment looked staged as she ran up the stairs when she was still living with her dad. All the rest of the scenes were awesome. I also loved their music. Brandy's songs were truly popular at the time!

Brandy rocks!

[David, Film Freak · 15 April 2001]

R'N'B diva and 'Moesha' star Brandy plays up-and-coming singing sensation Karla in this dramatic musical. Great songs (mostly from Brandy's 'Never Say Never' album) on here, Brandy is brilliant, Diana Ross who plays Karla's mother is great also. The story itself is about Karla's rise to fame, her mother who adopted her, was also a singing great of her time and apart from her career, the story is about the relationship (however rocky) between the two. A good concept with good acting, but there's something lacking here, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Oh well, it is still a bit of fun for all the r'n'b (and Brandy) lovers out there!

A must!

[alamsami · 10/10 · 23 March 2001]

Great songs! Heartwarming movie concerning the relationship of a mother (Ross) and her daughter (Brandy). Good acting by all supporting cast. The spotlight is on Diva Diana Ross who does an excellent job , she acts with great feeling & love. Filled with drama and emotion...Not to be missed because Love is All that Matters.