Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madam C.J. Walker

It is clear in the movie that Addie Munroe is a portrait of the real life figure of Annie Malone, Madam CJ Walker's mentor. Why is she portrayed so negatively? In real life she was a successful business woman alongside CJ Walker, philanthropist and equal rights advocate. Is there really no space for 2 successful business women alongside each other? It is a pity that something marketed as a biography has such a major misrepresentation. Otherwise it was a good movie. Interesting contrasts between the old time setting and modern music and scenes.

It's ok I just hate the new music and modern day antics added to it, should have stuck to her true story and just made a while biopic geesh!!!!!

Rule#1: Never rely on films & TV to learn history - that's what in-depth reading & research is for.

I would hope viewers would watch this and then get inspired to delve deeper & research the real life of Madame C.J. Walker. As an entertainment piece & catalyst to inspire further learning I give it 8 stars.

I do have a particular dislike of hearing modern contemporary music in period pieces. I like to feel transported to the time & imagine the America my grandparents & great-grandparents experienced. When the rap lyrics start - it kills the mood of the period - Like Christopher Reeve thrust back to the present after seeing a 1979 penny in "Somewhere in Time"!

I know some productions like to do this (Example - WGN's "Underground" series). I can only imagine this is designed to attract younger audiences who may not find historical films as appealing - but I find it very annoying. Can't imagine "Downton Abbey" with a Beyoncé or Taylor Swift soundtrack!

Was very happy to see that a miniseries about Madame CJ Walker was in the works. Unfortunately this series did not live up to expectations. The writers focused on the more soap opera aspects of her life and completely shorted her on all of her accomplishments. I know that no biography is going to stick 100% to the facts but this one took a great many liberties, all to the detriment of its subject. Madame CJ was a big success long before this series portrays that. Was expecting a much better treatment of this icon.

I appreciate the retelling of her story while also taking some creative liberties (it is the 21st century and Netflix).

There was one goof obvious to Spelman alumnae. They mention "Spelman College" and at the time this film was set it, the school has not made it's name change yet. I believe they should have just said "Spelman" or "Spelman Baptist Seminary" as it would not become Spelman College until 1924.