Movies

Mahogany

Directed by Berry Gordy, Starring Dana Ross and Billy Dee Williams. At several local theaters

Well, folks, Berry Gordy has done it again.

He's made a movie about the wonderful world of fantasyland. And joining him in this escapade are those smiling lovers: Diana Ross, who plays Mahogany nee Tracy Chambers, and Billy Dee Williams, who plays Brian Walker.

As we join the two lovers in Chicago, Tracy is trying to convince Brian that the ghetto is not where it's at; fame and fortune as a model/dress designer is. Brian on the other hand is a fashionably-clothed "people's man" who likes living and working in the ghetto where he's running for political office,

Tracy gives Brian up for a crack at Rome and modelling, where she succeeds with the help of Sean ( Tony Perkins) who's a psychotic homosexual photographer and who eventually tries to kill her, only to end up dying himself.

To shorten your boredom, after reaching her awaited and worked-at fame, Tracy decides to give it all up for Brian, the man she really loves, and goes back to Chicago where he's stil running for some other public office,

Granted, Diana Ross has talent as an actress, a singer and now a costume designer (all the costumes were designed by her). but too much of Diana Ross spoils the picture.

Gordy  seems to be ramming her down our throats. Not more than two minutes go by without Ms. Ross popping up in a scene, grinning and swirling. If she's not grinning and swirling, she's singing.

Billy Dee Williams can do better -if he had the right material. We know he has a charming smile and he's pretty, but is that all he can do-smile and look pretty?

Need I say more about this film?

If you think you can sit through one and a half hours of watching a fashion show and Billy Deed Williams acting out a role of a castrated Black man, then you'll enjoy "Mahogany."

Sally Wright.