Movie Review: “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story”

Photo: VH1

The day many TLC fans were waiting for has come and gone but the satisfaction of seeing their beloved girl group of the 1990’s played so well is a feeling that will last forever.

“CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” aired on Monday, October 21 at 9pm EST on VH1. The little over two-hour film gave a depiction of how Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas, Tionne “T-Boz” Watkins and Lisa “Lefteye” Lopes came to form and blow up as the group we loved and knew as TLC.

Now that we all, hopefully, got a chance to see the movie once, maybe twice, I want to give my take on the film with A Glamberous Review.

The Writing
Now I’m very tuned in with picking up on good and bad writing. I feel that can make or break a film, TV, play, etc. and it can also affect an actor’s performance. I wouldn’t say the writing was that horrible but it wasn’t Oscar worthy. The beginning of the film had the worst dialogue to me. I get that a lifetime of situations can’t be packed into a two-hour film but there are better ways to do character development without blatantly saying what’s happening; I learned that in class.

The way T-Boz and Lefteye were having conversations about how tough that had it growing up and even T-Boz having the conversation with the girl about considering joining a girl’s group just seemed off to me, like really off. But once the story starting going I think it flowed a bit better. I think certain aspects of the film could have been left out because it didn’t really add to the essence of the story but viewers still were able to pick up on the bond TLC formed and how much they went through as a group which I think was important to share.

The Actors Portrayal
There is no one on God’s green Earth that can say casting was not ideal for Lefteye, T- Boz and Chilli. Drew Sidora (T-Boz), Niatia “Lil Mama” Kirkland (Lefteye) and KeKe Palmer (Chilli) were the perfect girls to play these iconic musicians in the biopic. As much as I loved all the girls Lil Mama stole the show. Dressed in the TLC costumes, you could not tell Lil Mama didn’t look like Lefteye, I mean are they distant cousins or something. Everything down to the mannerisms, the facial expressions and voice were on point. And don’t get me started on the intermingling of TLC videos like “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg,” “Waterfalls,” “Creep” and “No Scrubs.” That was the part of the movie that really made me smile because it was about the music and it reminded me of all the hits TLC had and how they were those it girls in the ’90’s. It was crazy how much Drew, KeKe and Lil Mama looked like those girls recreating those videos.

Now I’m no actress so I can’t imagine the process of preparing for a role but I did find the acting slightly bad. Drew and Keke are actors and I enjoyed them in stuff like The Game and “Madea’s Family Reunion” but for them to be the actors and Lil Mama hit the ball out of the park I found that odd. It could be really had to play an actual person and not a character so I’ll cut them a little slack. Outside of little stuff that turned me off from their performance they really did do a great job.

My Overall Impression
I can be very analytic with films. I like to pick them apart but I can also appreciate the entertainment purpose of them. Overall I think the film was good. It did give a play-by-play of VH1’s Behind The Music which was like deja vu watching the film because I just saw it like 24 hours ago, but I feel it gave fans a new appreciation for the group as well as a more in-dept look at how much the girls struggled even after having so much success. One thing to take away from this film is to be aware of those contracts you sign and the people who are “looking out for you.”

I think this film was tastefully done especially when it came to Lefteye’s death. It wasn’t visually depicted which I think was smart on the idea of the writer. Lefteye was portrayed in a state of bliss and freedom which she talked about feeling at that point in her life. I also liked (SPOILER) that the real T-Boz and Chilli made an appearance at the end of the film and how their song “Meant To Be” was incorporated. Really great way to end the TLC story.

I give “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story” Four and a Half Glamberous Sparkles

How did you feel about “CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story?” Let me know! Also check out the new “No Scrubs” below and tell me they didn’t kill it.

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