Lady Sings the Blues

1972 · 144 min · EN · R · 6.9 (80 votes)

Dir. Sidney J. Furie · Starring Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams, Richard Pryor, James T. Callahan, Paul Hampton, Sid Melton · Music Michel Legrand

“Diana Ross is Billie Holiday. Diana Ross sings Billie Holiday. And a superstar is born.”

DramaMusic

Chronicles the rise and fall of legendary blues singer Billie Holiday, beginning with her traumatic youth. The story depicts her early attempts at a singing career and her eventual rise to stardom, as well as her difficult relationship with Louis McKay, her boyfriend and manager. Casting a shadow over even Holiday's brightest moments is the vocalist's severe drug addiction, which threatens to end both her career and her life.

VIBE

A raw, unflinching look at the life of a legendary artist. It's a deeply emotional journey through fame, addiction, and the fight for survival against societal prejudice. Prepare for a powerful, soul-stirring experience.

heartbreakingsoulfulmelancholicrawsteadybiographical dramaperiod piecegritty realismaddictionracismfamelove

new york citybrotheljazz singer or musicianmental breakdownbiographyaddictionrape victimtour busracismbased on memoir or autobiographyperiod dramadrug overdosemusic historylynchingdying youngblack singerwithdrawalheroin addict