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What becomes a legend most?
the ad campaign for Blackglama mink asks, featuring women draped in fur and marked by history.
Bette Davis with her bobbed hair, cigarette in hand, those famous searchlight eyes trained upward.
Shirley Maclaine with a stockinged leg kicking toward the sky.
Lauren Bacall with a smoky, beckoning expression looking over her shoulder.
Judy Garland, supine yet alert, as if in the middle of conversation.
(In 1985, Andy Warhol would appropriate the image for a silk-screen series.)
The Los Angeles ofThe High Noteis cast in a sun-kissed, serene light by cinematographer Jason McCormick.
The safer story it spins fails to distract from the realities that end up creeping in.
Similarly, Ross lacks the grandiosity to embody a diva of Graces stature.
Scenes meant to feel revelatory about the interiority of her character only draw more questions.
Grace is wearing a striking red suit when she boldly admits she wants to record a new album.
But thats not what her executives are interested in; they want her to do the Vegas residency.
She wants change; they want more of the same.
Maggie finds her in the bathroom later, flustered.
Grace reveals her worry about becoming a sellout.
Its not the same as it used to be, Grace whispers at one point.
Well, how did it used to be?
How did Grace claw her way to the top?
Who is she beyond the trappings of her wealth?
Only five women over 40 have a number one hit, only one was black, Grace tells Maggie.
Do you understand that?!
While Ross lacks the bite and Johnson lacks the depth, Kelvin Harrison Jr. feels like a revelation.
Hes bristling with warmth, intrigue, and mystery.
Its his warm gaze on Maggie that sells the love story.
So when Maggie and David finally kiss its obvious theyll get together from the jump my heart leapt.
But not even Harrison Jr. can make the movies third-act twist work.
In the end, Grace still feels like a diva in search of real characterization.
