Inclubabu Plot so thin, it passes unnoticed.

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Neive Bellamy Excellent and certainly provocative... If nothing else, the film is a real conversation starter.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

richard-1787 This is certainly a well-intentioned movie, and the star, Lynn Whitfield, certainly gives a very moving performance. Much of the movie focuses on Baker's career after the War, where she becomes involved in the civil rights movement. It's very well-meaning, certainly, but not the part of her life and career that interests me, so I found that that part of the movie dragged. Her years in Paris as a performer in the 1920s and 30s get short shrift, and that's a shame, because it's what made a star of her.The movie takes its particular stance on how Baker saw her early Paris performances. While it's an interesting interpretation - very sincere - I don't know how accurate it is. The one aspect of Baker's performances that doesn't get developed in this movie is her role as a comedian. In certain ways, she was something of a Black Fanny Brice. Something of that comes through her early newsreels, but it's missing from the way Ms. Whitfield was directed to portray Baker.In the end, for me, this amounted to a very fine performance by Whitfield. But how accurate a depiction of Baker it provided, at least for her early years as a successful performer, I don't know.

EighthSense I remember many years ago reading Josephine Baker's biography, and looking hungrily at the photographs, trying to learn a little more about the woman who had used every ounce of energy and talent she had to serve her purposes-and how noble those purposes were. She could have lived a very comfortable life resting on her laurels, without taking the chances and responsibilities she took, but she did not. This movie does her justice, and it is truly a feast for the eyes and ears, as well as food for thought. Lynn Whitfield's performance is amazing, moving, exciting. It brings Glamor of mythic proportions into the living rooms of people, most of whom would never see something comparable today. It also brings twinges of embarrassment to me as an American, seeing the shameful racist treatment Josephine received in her own country, which she bore in a regally proud way. I had one thought as I was watching her in all her splendor and fame waiting for food that was not to be served to her at the Stork Club: How many of the racists who treated her so awfully were foolish or liars enough to call themselves Christians?

Amy Adler Josephine Baker (Lynn Whitfield) grew up in poverty and, at a very young age, displayed her talents on Vaudeville. Unhappy with the treatment of African Americans in the 1920's in her homeland, she travels to France and makes it big as an exotic dancer and singer. Loved by the Europeans, Josephine's manager/boyfriend (Rubin Blades) decides to have her return to Broadway. She fails miserably. Yet, Josephine remains a strong, outspoken person who soon takes her show on the road and turns heads. She also finds time to try to elevate the treatment of African Americans and to do acts of charitable worth. But, will Josephine ever be truly happy?This is a brief look at a complex woman. Her indomitable spirit is brought to life in Whitfield's strong performance. Josephine is remembered for her scandalous costumes and risque dancing yet, as this movie proves, she had much more to contribute to humanity. The performance by Blades is also top-notch. As for the costumes, they are revealing yet always stunning. In summary, this movie deserves an audience and one wider than the African-American community. On the next trip to the video store or library, give it a try. Viewers will be entertained as well as enlightened by Baker's admirable life story.

Sleepy-17 Rags to riches, in which Lynn Whitfield's exhibitionism rivals that of the woman she portrays. Whitfield fills her character with purpose and determination, and her feud with Walter Winchell is well done. However the routine showbiz bio formula is hard to enliven. I love the stuff about her adopted children (what a great way to spend a fortune!) but it was more touching as described in the documentary "Chasing a Rainbow."