howard-warner The big screen missed this one. I saw this movie just last night although it came out last year and will forever be changed. I am a movie buff and can sit thru the weakest story lines along as the execution is good. This movie was hands down one of the most amazing movies of 2007. The Queen was as always perfect and continues to show her versatility in acting. I was blown away by all the actors because this came off as a documentary. It seemed like they were following around this woman in real life. Evan Ross stole the show for me. He was channeling his mother in Ladys sings the Blues on this one. His performance was OUTSTANDING. His brought to life an urban legend, that you can be black gay and not want to be a woman or be on the DL. He made me love him and then he went away, he died, I cried, I LOVED IT. This movie was convicting and it made me want to do more for the cause. It pulled at my heart strings and hasn't let go yet. Jamie Foxx is one of talented men in the industry as he lends his talents behind the scenes and sings a song at the end that is sure to make you cry. All I can say is thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

BratE9000 The movie centers around a mother who overcame an addiction to crack and is now trying to make some good in her life. She wishes to become a part of her daughters life. The daughter, played by Rachel Nicks, lives with her grandmother, presumably because mom was a crack head.Tifah just keeps getting better. She is fantastic as the mother and main character. She is on the screen 90% of the time and carries the film like a champ.Supporting roles are good too. All were performed impeccably, but if the gods are fair, Rachel Nicks will have a bright future ahead of her. She plays the part of the daughter and sister of Amare, a kid on his way down the tubes, with a very believable and moving emotional performance.It's not Philidelphia, but definitely #2 when it comes to the topic of AIDS.

gradyharp Once again HBO has produced a film for television that will doubtless be a success not only in its televised version but on theater release and/or DVD. LIFE SUPPORT as written by Nelson George, Hannah Weyer and Jim McKay and directed with power and restraint by Nelson George has the courage to delve deeply into the problem of AIDS in the black community and the result is a film that is not only informative but also a story of tremendous power about the sequelae of HIV infection on the lives of those infected and their families.Based on the true story of a mother who as a rack cocaine addict became infected by her boyfriend's indiscriminate use of a shared needle and with the discovery of her sero-positive status turned her life around to become a powerful positive role model and AIDS activist in the black community. Ana Willis (Queen Latifah in a sterling performance) is married to Slick (Wendell Pierce), both of whom are HIV positive and both work, living with their young daughter Kim (Ravelle Parker) and trying to cope with their estranged daughter Kelly (Rachel Nicks, a true find of a young artist!) who elects to live with her grandmother, Ana's beleaguered mother (Anna Deavere Smith, once again proving she is one of the premiere actors of the day). Kelly and Ana are at odds and their strained relationship is one of the evidences of the cruelties of the aftermath of ex-addicts manner of going straight. Kelly's closest friend is Omari (Evan Ross, gifted actor son of Diana Ross!) who is gay and is very ill with AIDS. Kelly asks for Ana's help when Omari disappears and it is through this act that the story plunges forward into the self help groups of AIDS patients Ana chairs, Ana's visit to Omari's boyfriends such as MJ (Darrin Dewitt Henson) who is very much on the down low, and Ana's ultimate finding herself as a mother, a wife, a caregiver and a fine activist in doing her part to prevent the spread of the dread disease form which she suffers.The large cast is excellent with outstanding performances by Queen Latifah, Anna Deavere Smith, and Rachel Nicks and strong work by Evan Ross et al. The beauty of the film is the avoidance of grandstanding and overacting: the message is driven home quietly and with respect. It is a fine film that should be seen by everyone. Grady Harp

edwagreen A very good film showing the life of a former drug user who works for an outreach program for women with HIV.Queen Latifah, a very fine actress, is well suited for the part of Annie.What makes this film so good is that there is little violence. All the characters give meaning to this very endearing film.Latifah is especially effective in her sessions with other women. There are marvelous supporting performances by the daughter she gave up to her mother. The latter is also quite good.This is a very compelling story detailing the black experience with regard to home life and personal identifications and self-esteem.The Brooklyn locations are a joy to see.