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Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia

  • TV Movie
  • 2021
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 42m
IMDb RATING
7.0/10
750
YOUR RATING
Danielle Brooks in Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia (2021)
BiographyDramaMusic

The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rig... Read allThe story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement.The story of the New Orleans-born crooner who began singing at an early age and went on to become one of the most revered gospel figures in U.S. history, melding her music with the civil rights movement.

  • Director
    • Kenny Leon
  • Writers
    • Bettina Gilois
    • Todd Kreidler
  • Stars
    • Danielle Brooks
    • Olivia Washington
    • Joaquina Kalukango
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.0/10
    750
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Kenny Leon
    • Writers
      • Bettina Gilois
      • Todd Kreidler
    • Stars
      • Danielle Brooks
      • Olivia Washington
      • Joaquina Kalukango
    • 10User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 3 wins & 15 nominations total

    Photos8

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    Top cast37

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    Danielle Brooks
    Danielle Brooks
    • Mahalia Jackson
    Olivia Washington
    Olivia Washington
    • Estelle
    Joaquina Kalukango
    Joaquina Kalukango
    • Mildred
    Jason Dirden
    Jason Dirden
    • Russell
    Rob Demery
    Rob Demery
    • Martin Luther King
    Benjamin Charles Watson
    Benjamin Charles Watson
    • John
    Jim Thorburn
    Jim Thorburn
    • Studs
    Jamall Johnson
    Jamall Johnson
    • Ike Hockenhull
    Wolsey Brooks
    • Sigmund Galloway
    Keenan Mentzos
    Keenan Mentzos
    • Young John
    Nakai Takawira
    Nakai Takawira
    • Young Halie
    Marci T. House
    Marci T. House
    • Aunt Duke
    Kenny Leon
    Kenny Leon
    • Professor Kendricks
    Kerry Sandomirsky
    Kerry Sandomirsky
    • Bess Berman
    Dean Redman
    Dean Redman
    • Pastor
    Kris McRonney
    Kris McRonney
    • Young Father
    Taylor Edwardson
    • Kathryn
    Marc Gaudet
    Marc Gaudet
    • Director
    • Director
      • Kenny Leon
    • Writers
      • Bettina Gilois
      • Todd Kreidler
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews10

    7.0750
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    Featured reviews

    6darylstafford-14684

    Good but

    Loved the actors but the film didn't seem to have any real depth to it. The music is brilliant as are the actors that play both Mahalia and also Mildred. It wasn't gritty enough though somehow. All a bit sanitised I felt. Look.
    9kctr

    Spotted a goof

    Loved this movie, a great biopic. Danielle Brooks was awesome. Think I spotted another "goof" though - when the young Mahalia was singing as a young girl at her house in 1926 her Aunt came in and Mahalia took the needle off the record she was singing along too. It showed a modern piece of vinyl on the record player which looked very much like a multi track LP which I'm pretty sure weren't made until 1948 by Columbia. Later on Mahalia said that as a young girl she used to sing along to Victrola records which were 78rpm Bakelite discs. Can't take anything away from the spirit of the movie though.
    10dnbaeb

    Loved this movie

    Danielle did an awesome job playing Mahalia. She really brought Mahalia alive and well in 2021. I had heard that Danielle could sing, but that girl can saaannnggg. She's also a really talented actress. I really enjoyed all the actors (but not the portrayal of Martin too much), not really sure why he didn't quite fit me. But nevertheless, it got a 10/10 from me. Was it a totally accurate story w/o a little embellishment, absolutely not, but pretty accurate and on point,
    10csmcmackin73

    So wonderful!! Brought the spirit of Mahalia Jackson

    I bought this and it took me a few days before I watched it. I cried, I laughed and loved the performance of a beautiful voice I remember from the past and one for 2021 in Danielle. I will watch it again and again.
    1sateigdraleah

    I don't think Mahalia would have liked this

    It seems with lifetime their biopics are usally missing some important components. The script for this wasn't good. Some of the casting was just bad. While Danielle Brooks' singing was pretty good her acting was not. There were, however, some moments in the performances that she did certain things that reminded me of watching Mahalia but those moments were few and very far between in this film. I also wish they had picked more well known Mahalia songs. Danielle can sing but her tone honestly wasn't close to Mahalia's even though at moments she did a pretty good job. There were also a lot of pc sounding speeches that did not reflect Mahalia's beliefs but i think the beliefs of the writers and producers of this film.

    This was boring but i kept it on thinking maybe it would be more intersting but it wasn't. The actor playing MLK was so dull my goodness, lol. Some of the wigs they had on Danielle were on point though with what we've seen Mahalia wear before, I gotta say that. Wadrobe did a pretty decent job. That Aretha movie was better than this and I couldn't even finish watching that. If you're looking for a biopic like Ray or the Jacksons please know that this aint it. This is definitely forgettable.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      In the scene showing Mahalia Jackson's debut at Carnegie Hall, the song she sings is "How I Got Over," which was composed by Clara Ward, her chief rival as the #1 Black female gospel singer.
    • Goofs
      When Mahalia Jackson burns Russell's dinner, the kitchen appliances are far too modern-looking for 1950.
    • Soundtracks
      My God is Real (Yes God is Real)
      Performed by Danielle Brooks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 3, 2021 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Official site
      • Hollywood Reporter
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Mahalia
    • Filming locations
      • Maple Ridge, British Columbia, Canada(Filming City)
    • Production companies
      • Front Street Pictures
      • Lincoln Square Productions
      • Rock'n Robin Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 42m(102 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 16:9 HD

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