Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story
Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story is a 2004 biographical drama television film directed by Allan Moyle and written by Claudia Salter.[1] It stars Flex Alexander as American pop star Michael Jackson, and follows his rise to fame and subsequent events.[2] The film takes its title from one of Jackson's songs, "Man in the Mirror". Essentially a spiritual sequel to The Jacksons: An American Dream, which discussed the Jackson family as children, the film was primarily shot in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and aired on VH1 on August 6, 2004, a month prior to when Jackson's criminal trial was scheduled to begin.
| Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story | |
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UK DVD cover | |
| Written by | Claudia Salter |
| Directed by | Allan Moyle |
| Starring |
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| Music by | Bruce Leitl |
| Country of origin |
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| Original language | English |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Producers |
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| Cinematography | David Greene |
| Editor | Bridget Durnford |
| Running time | 87 minutes |
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| Original release | |
| Network | VH1 |
| Release | August 6, 2004 |
Plot edit
A warts and all look at Michael's search for identity via his own brand of extremism alongside his peak during the Thriller era and his troubled later years.[2]
Cast edit
- Flex Alexander as Michael Jackson
- Eugene Clark as Bobby
- Theresa Browning as woman
- Marty Antonini as detective #2
- Tom Carey as director
- Brian Copping as elder
- Lynne Cormack as Elizabeth Taylor
- Hugh Delaney as judge
- Cedric De Souza as Martin Bashir
- Talon Dunbar as little boy
- Greg Farkas as male dancer
- Brennan Gademans as young Michael Jackson
- Jason Griffith as Jermaine Jackson
- Patricia Idlette as Katherine Jackson
- Samantha Kaine as Diana Ross
- Liberty Kee as nanny
- Margaret Avery as Martha Upshaw
- Greg Lawson as detective #1
- Daniel Libman as Dr. Goodman
- Barbara Mamabolo as Janet Jackson
- Brian Martell as Thomas
- Peter Onorati as Ziggy (based on Frank DiLeo)
- Duncan Pattillo as bodyguard
- Lou Poulis as gardener
- Brendan Prost as Manny (based on Jordan Chandler)
- Brooklynn Proulx as Paris Jackson
- Krista Rae as Lisa Marie Presley
- Chad Riley as dance crew member
- Troy Rudolph as stage manager
- Carrie Schiffler as surgeon
- Connor Schmidt as Benjamin Keough
- Peter Skagen as attorney
- Amy Sloan as Holly
- William S. Taylor as Johnnie Cochran
- April Telek as Debbie Rowe
- Michael Tod as sick boy
- Jameson Trenholm as Junkie #2
- Frederic Tucker as Joe Jackson
- Aidan Wilks as David (based on Gavin Arvizo)
- Gerrick Winston as Tito Jackson
- Chris Scheuerman as security guard (uncredited)
- Braedon Mcnicol as extra (uncredited)
Award nominations edit
- 2005 – Nominated NAACP Image Award Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special – Flex Alexander.
Reception edit
The film originally aired on August 6, 2004, receiving a TV rating of TV-PG for language. The telefilm went on to receive generally negative reviews from both fans and critics alike as the film presented Jackson in a very unflattering manner and did not represent most of the true story alongside criticizing the dialogue. Unlike The Jacksons: An American Dream, none of Jackson's songs are heard, only mentioned in the telefilm.[3][4]
Telelvision critic Melaine Mcfarland of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer called the "biopoem" (as described by the director) "one of those tastelessly timed works meant to coax forth any sympathy we might have for Jackson's situation".[5]
Home media edit
It is available on DVD on February 8, 2005, where it is distributed by Paramount Home Entertainment and is rated PG-13 for some brief language and thematic elements by the MPAA.[3]