By Michael P Coleman
Most of the documentary is comprised of footage from Diana Ross’ legendary Central Park concerts from the summer of 1983. Even if you’ve seen the footage before, you haven’t seen it like this: on an enormous screen, with newly remastered picture and sound. For the new documentary, the concert footage is prefaced by heartfelt, new interviews with four of her five adult children, singing their mom’s praises.
After that opening act, the real show begins.
Diana Ross: Her Life, Love And Legacy features a dramatic montage from the legendary first, rained out concert. Mother Nature hijacked Ross’ best efforts after about 45 minutes, but before ultimately giving in, she powered through: singing, dancing, and almost maternally taking care to make sure 800,000 fans safely exited Central Park’s Great Lawn.
Only Ross could turn a torrential thunderstorm into a concert’s special effect, transforming herself into a sepia Moses leading her people to safety. Of this first show, diva-in-training Mariah Carey once said that she’s still waiting for her “Central Park moment!”
And the Motown legend was in fine voice throughout, Anyone who’s questioned her vocal power need only watch her performances of “Endless Love” and “All For One” at the end of the film. As she once sang, it’s her house, she lives here…and she brought that house down in Central Park that hot summer night.
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Connect with freelance writer Michael P Coleman at michaelpcoleman.com, or follow him on Twitter: @ColemanMichaelP.
