The Jacksons: An American Dream (1992) (TV)

Director:

Karen Arthur

Writer (WGA):

Joyce Eliason (written by)

Release Date:

15 November 1992 (USA)

Genre:

Biography | Drama | Music

Tagline:

There's fame...there's fortune...and then there's family. Sometimes it's hard to choose.

Plot:

The Jacksons are your average working-class family in Gary, Indiana; but when their father discovers...

Plot Keywords:

Motown | Teenage Boy | Star Spangled Banner | Marriage | Extramarital Affair

Awards:

Won Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs	...	Joseph Jackson
Angela Bassett	...	Katherine Jackson
Holly Robinson Peete	...	Diana Ross (as Holly Robinson)
Margaret Avery	...	Martha Scruse
Alex Burrall	...	Michael Jackson (aged 6-8)
Jermaine Jackson II	...	Jermaine Jackson (aged 13-17)
Bumper Robinson	...	Jackie Jackson - age 12-16
Floyd Roger Myers Jr.	...	Marlon Jackson - age 7-9
Monica Calhoun	...	Rebbie Jackson
Jason Weaver	...	Michael Jackson (aged 9-14)
Ángel Vargas	...	Tito Jackson
Terrence Howard	...	Jackie Jackson (as Terrence Dashon Howard)
Lanei Chapman
Elizabeth Narvaez	...	Dee Dee
Billy Dee Williams	...	Berry Gordy

Also Known As:

The Jackson Five (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

240 min | 60 min (4 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Netherlands:6

Filming Locations:

Los Angeles, California, USA

Company:

De Passe Entertainment

Goofs:

Factual errors: In the scene when the actor who plays Michael Jackson is doing his solo performance for Motown, the single, glittery glove he is wearing is on his right hand. In the actual performance, the real Michael Jackson is wearing the glove on his left hand.

Quotes:

Michael Jackson: We're embarking on this tour for many reasons, but mainly because of our mother. Our father, too, for the dream that they had... an American dream... that started a long, long time ago, when our ancestors came here... slaves... oppressed people... beaten down, beaten up...

Movie Connections:

Referenced in Plump Fiction (1997)

A few mistakes, but nonetheless overrated

I don't understand why this movie is so heavily slaughtered with criticism. This is way better than most made-for-TV garbage currently being aired on TV. The cast adds magic to this movie with their outstanding acting abilities, especially Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, Angela Bassett, Vanessa L. Williams, and Billy Dee Williams. And the three actors playing Michael Jackson were absolutely magnificent, especially Wylie Draper, with his performance of "Billie Jean". They all made me believe they really were Michael Jackson, especially since they sounded like them when they spoke! I'm surprised this movie wasn't released to theaters.

Now, here's what went wrong:

1. A few things were inaccurate. First of all, "Kansas City" was not the Jackson Five's first single. And second, "ABC" was released and recorded before "I'll Be There".

2. Call me a nitpicker, but I guess the casting directors don't care much for continuity problems. The only actors that even looked alike were the three actors that played Michael. The casting directors' picks for Tito Jackson are forgivable, because while they don't look alike, they both look like Tito to a certain extent. Marlon Jackson's bone structure and skin color seemed to change considerably as he got older, but that's not even the half of it- in real life, he's practically identical to his brother Michael, but such was not the case in the film. The biggest problem is the casting directors' picks for Jackie and Jermaine Jackson. Good move picking Jermaine Jackson, Jr. to assume the role of his father. And the guy who played Jackie as a teenager really captured the essence of Jackie- shy, sensitive, sweet. Not to mention he looked a lot like Jackie. However, the actors who played Jackie and Jermaine, although both are extremely handsome men (I was disappointed I couldn't find photos or anything of Colin Steele on Google.com), were just horrible. Again, it's the same problem- their skin color and bone structure seem to change. And since when does Jackie have green eyes? Not looking like the person you are supposed to portray is one thing, but portraying them the wrong way is quite another. I was disappointed in the way Terrence Howard portrayed Jackie- a smart-mouthed, girl-crazed jackass. In real life, Jackie is none of those things. Maybe he was a little girl-crazy, but not to the point where he acts like a womanizer.

3. I think they should have involved Janet Jackson in the film a little more. Not that they should have had lead roles, but a scene involving her or something would have been okay, like when she's on television, or when she about to kick off her own music career. I was disappointed only to see Janet as a young child, a nobody in the shadows of her brothers. They definitely should have filmed a scene in which she was a little older.

Overall, though, the entire cast was spectacular, and the film was great. It tells the story behind the Jackson family, captures the true talent of Michael and the J5, and, of course, is a great opportunity for the ladies to have a look at some eye candy.

8/10