- Actors: Diana Ross, Ann Weldon, Rhonda Stubbins White, Beah Richards, Lindsay Crouse
- Directors: Larry Elikan
- Format: PAL, HiFi Sound, Dolby
- Language English
- Classification: 15
- Studio: 4 Front
- VHS Release Date: 20 Mar 1995
- Run Time: 88 minutes
- Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
- ASIN: B00005421A
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 191 in Video (See Top 100 in Video)
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
Product details |
Product Description
Highly acclaimed Tv-Film starring Diana Ross (in her tv movie debut) as Paulie Cooper, a paranoid schizophrenic, who was once a promising student but has been institutionalised 43 times over the past 17 years suffering with mental illness and is now posing a danger both to herself and others.
Also starring Lindsay Crouse (Slap Shot, Prince Of The City), Beah Richards (Guess Who's Coming To Dinner) & Maura Tierney (Liar, Liar; Tv's E.R.) this is a real revelation for those who only know Diana Ross as a singer.
Suggested Tags from Similar Products(What's this?)Be the first one to add a relevant tag (keyword that's strongly related to this product)
|
What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
Hailed as Diana Ross’ “most magnificent role since ‘Lady Sings the Blues’”, Out of Darkness is a powerful and moving drama. Based on a true story, it concentrates on Paulie Cooper, a paranoid schizophrenic, who has battled with her illness for 17 years. During those turbulent years, Paulie’s been institutionalised 43 times, and there seems to be no end this painful, terrifying hell.
Paulie’s illness has a devastating effect on her family. Her mother does the best she can to hold things together, but is now tired and at her wits end. Her sister loves her, but feels resentful, as all the attention was focussed on Paulie during their upbringing.
“Paulie’s so much more needy, I thought that the only way I could get your attention was by being sick, too.”
And then there’s Ashley, Paulie’s daughter, who’s terrified of her mother. There’s help around the corner, though. Lindsey Crouse plays the sympathetic shrink who introduces a new drug to Paulie. With determination and courage, Paulie slowly gains control of her life, and tries to come to terms with her past. It’s an upward struggle, though. Once sane, Paulie’s feels out of place in her new world.
“I’ve lost 18 years. I lost a life; what kind of life do I get back?”
There are no easy answers, of course.
The first time I saw “Out of Darkness” I was shocked by Diana’s appearance. I think she had a lot of guts shedding her glamorous image to portray a ramshackle character. There are no sequinned gowns; no fancy jewellery or elaborate make-up. This strategy works, as it makes her character more believable. There are also fewer distractions, as you’re presented with the character, minus the fancy packaging.
Diana’s acting is outstanding. In fact, I would go one better and say that this is a more accomplished performance than “Lady Sings the Blues”. For a start, Diana was 20 years older, with three movies behind her. It’s clear that she spent time researching the illness, and this enabled her to play Paulie with such realism and vigour. You can’t help sympathizing with Paulie. The music has a haunting, melancholic feel to it and it captures Paulie’s pain to good effect.
I have just two criticisms of the movie, though.
1 There’s no sense of location – where are they? Chicago? Boston? There are no clues.
2 There are too many short scenes that give the movie a slightly patchy feel.
Minor glitches aside, “Out of Darkness” proved that Diana is an actress with depth, and that she can rise to the challenge if given the right material. The movie won international critical acclaim, and Diana earned up her 3rd Golden Globe nomination – proof that the Diva hadn’t lost her power as an actress. The movie can be painful and upsetting to watch at times, but it’s worth getting for Diana’s polished perfomance.
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
If you have had experience or known someone with this illness or similar you will find this film lacks information. Although the film itself was ok it did not show you from the onset of the illness and how it developed it was "just there". It shows how much knowledge they lacked in the last decade about this illness. Diana Ross's acting is however very good. I would liked it to have shown you scenes of Polly discussing her illness with the professionals but it didnt elaborate. If you are hoping to learn more about Schizophrenia I dont think you will. However it is still watchable.
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Finally proof that Diana Ross' performance in 1972's Lady Sings the Blues wasn't and accident, the Boss certainly shows us in this very moving and realistic piece exactly what she's made of. Based on a true story Miss Ross has obviously payed great attention to detail in realising the role of Pauline Cooper a sufferer of Paranoid Schizophrenia which is both very entertaining but hauntingly real. Don't be swayed by the TV film style presentation of the film, this is not an ordinary TV movie. This film proves that one needs a whole lot more than a 7 figure mega budget to make an epic, what the film lacks in glamour and hype, Diana Ross certainly makes up for in a highly emotive and solid performance.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Out of Darkness
One of,if not the most powerful performances Diana Ross has given off stage and the acting acutally excells he singing talents. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. G. Bevan
An Acting Tour de Force As The Lady Returns to the Silver Screen
The fact that Diana Ross has not even made 10 movies is a crime and a lost to the greatness of cinema. Read more
Published 16 months ago by L. Boki
Why No DVD Version?
This is one of Diana's best performances. Why haven't they released this on DVD yet? Why has it never been released in North America?
Published on 25 April 2009 by Roscoe09
A Stunning Perforance by Ms Ross
I think this is an amazing film, largely because of the outstanding performance in the leading role by Diana Ross. She absolutely gave 100% to the role. Read more
Published on 18 Jun 2008 by Blulu
Haunting...
A Psychological Drama and a superb perfomance by Diana Ross. This is not your average TV Movie, it shows Miss Ross' great acting skills. Read more
Published on 1 Jun 2001
Customer Discussions
|
This product's forum
Active discussions in related forums
Search Customer Discussions
|
Related forums
|
Listmania!
Look for similar items by category
- Film & TV > Television > Drama
Look for similar items by subject
Feedback
- Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?
