I have a reputation for enjoying some pretty bad movies. I freely admit to spinning the Barbra Streisand version of A Star is Born once a year. Yes, the story is ridiculous and sappy, but Kris Kristofferson looks good, Streisand has proven she can act and it contains some pretty good tunes. Released in 2001, Glitter (likely taking some inspiration from A Star is Born) proves there is a limit to my appreciation for bad movies. Glitter is awful from start to finish.
Pop singer Mariah Carey plays Billie Frank, the daughter of a single mother who sings in small clubs to make ends meet. Billie was eventually sent to an orphanage after her mother’s alcoholism made raising a child impossible. There, she meets her best friends for life–and future backup singers–Louise (Da Brat) and Roxanne (Tia Texada). Fast forward to 1983 and Billie and her friends are singing in dark, dinghy New York City clubs. In a city full of wannabes, they get a break when Timothy Walker (Terrence Howard) offers up a contract to be background singers and dancers for his less than impressive main performer. Subsequently, nightclub DJ Julian “Dice” spots Billie Black (Max Beesley), who quickly realizes Billie has what it takes to be a star.
Having (predictably) fallen in love with Dice, Billie is quickly signed to a major label. Fame comes almost overnight. However, her personal life is in turmoil. Her best friends are edged out by the record company and her fame quickly surpasses that of her lover. Add to that Timothy Walker’s anger over never getting paid for releasing Billie from her original contract and we’re headed for some fireworks. Not really, but I assume that was the intention.
This type of “rags to riches” story has been told countless times before and Mariah Carey just doesn’t have the acting chops to carry off the lead. It doesn’t help that Max Beesley tries too hard to affect a New York swagger and ends up looking ridiculous. I don’t want to keep piling on, but the dialogue is dreadful. Apparently, Mariah Carey wrote the treatment and the script was written by Kate Lanier (What’s Love Got to Do With It?). There’s also some weird visual effects. Glitter has serious issues.
It’s no surprise that Glitter tanked at the box office when it was released in 2001. The best moments come when Mariah is singing. Therefore, her biggest fans might want to pick up this Blu-ray and just to watch her do that. If you don’t need to have everything She’s ever done, give Glitter a pass.
Presented in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio, this 1080p transfer is rather simplistic but fine. Like the story, the opening scenes appear bleak, nearly grayscale. As we move forward to 1983 and New York City, things brighten considerably. While the palette isn’t exactly vibrant, each color is differentiated well enough. The image appears clean and filmic throughout. skin tones appear natural. The only noticeable issues are a slight title wobble and three or four pops over the course of the presentation.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack offers up a lossy configuration, but it sounds surprisingly hushed. Dialogue and music can be difficult to hear at times, so much so, I found myself repeatedly cranking up the volume. Things get better toward the middle of the film, but it’s an up and down affair.
English SDH subtitles are included.
There are no extras available.
