CrazySexyCool: The TLC Story
By Melissa Camacho,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Emotional biopic with serious topics, strong language.
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What's the Story?
CRAZYSEXYCOOL: THE TLC STORY is a dramatic biopic about the rise of the iconic '90's hip-hop group TLC. It tells the story of how dancer and singer Rozanda "Chilli" Thomas (played by Keke Palmer), rapper Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes (played by rapper Niatia Kirkland, aka Lil' Mama), and singer Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins (Drew Sidora) came together from humble beginnings in the 1990s to create the first successful hip-hop girl group and one of the highest-grossing female groups in American music history. The personal stories of each of the young women, including their individual relationships, medical problems, and run-ins with the law, also are told. Throughout it all, the group's hit music is featured.
Is It Any Good?
This is an entertainingly dramatic look at the events that led to the Atlanta-based group's meteoric rise to fame, which came to an abrupt end with the tragic death of Lisa Lopes in 2002. It highlights the close, personal relationship they had with each other and notes some of the events from which their empowering lyrics are inspired. It also reveals some of the many obstacles they faced throughout their careers, including exploitative managers, dysfunctional relationships, and T-Boz's well-publicized battle with sickle-cell anemia.
Viewers who grew up with TLC will certainly enjoy hearing their story and listening to their music. Watching excerpts of some of the actual footage of their televised events is fun, too. But music lovers not old enough to remember the group will get an important lesson on how these young women managed to break down barriers in the historically male-dominated hip-hop industry and how they paved the way for the hip-hop artists the world listens to today.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the different ways singers and performers "make it" in the music industry. What is the story behind your favorite singer or group's popularity? Are there things you've been surprised to know about them?
What do you get out of watching a movie like this? Do movies like this one teach us something about what goes into becoming successful as a musician? Or is it just voyeurism?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming: October 21, 2014
- Cast: Drew Sidora, Keke Palmer, Niatia Kirkland
- Director: Charles Stone
- Inclusion Information: Black actors
- Studio: DreamWorks
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Music and Sing-Along
- Run time: 105 minutes
- MPAA rating: NR
- Last updated: June 2, 2023
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