Betty & Coretta

A Thoughtful Change Of Pace From Lifetime: A Glimpse At Two Remarkable Women
In the world of Lifetime movies, there are two basic genres. ONE: A woman triumphing over hardship, adversity, or abuse in a tough, but life affirming, "based on real incidents" TV docudrama. And TWO: The prurient "ripped from the headline" scandal or crime story that borrow from real cases and wallow in distasteful dramatic recreations. While I suppose, on some level, that the heartfelt examination of the widows of Martin Luther King and Malcolm X, "Betty and Coretta," fits into the first category, it could not be further from the formula filmmaking that the network is known for. And that's certainly a positive. Part of the network's programming for Black History Month, "Betty and Coretta" is structured as a docudrama that follows many years in the lives of both ladies.

The great Angela Bassett plays Coretta Scott King and Mary J. Blige steps into the role of Dr. Betty Shabazz. Either lady (on their own) might have made for an interesting biography. So put together, the...

AMAZING!
Some of the best acting work to date for both veteran actress Angela Bassett & singer/ actress Mary J. Blige. Insightful, informative, Great casting, excellent narratives by distinguished stellar civil rights activist / actress Ruby Dee.

Betty and Coretta: Recommended
Betty & Coretta Gets 3 Stars. I enjoyed the film but had trouble with some of the interpretation of historical points. However I recommend it to those who admire Betty and Coretta and those who admire Angela Bassett and Mary J. Blige.

Click to Editorial Reviews