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| Renee Fleming: A Film by Tony Palmer | 
 enlarge | Director: Tony Palmer
Actors: Renee Fleming, Daniel Barenboim, Jean-yves Thibaudet
Studio: Decca
Category: DVD
List Price: $39.98
Buy New: $18.67
You Save: $21.31 (53%)
New (25) Used (12) from $15.94
Avg. Customer Rating:  17 reviews
Sales Rank: 23074
Format: Classical, Color, Dvd-video, Ntsc
Languages: English (Original Language), English (Subtitled), French (Subtitled), German (Subtitled), Italian (Subtitled), Spanish (Subtitled)
Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Number Of Items: 1
Running Time: 122
Discs: 1
Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 7.1 x 5.4 x 0.6
MPN: 074153
UPC: 044007415399
EAN: 0044007415399
ASIN: B00006LJAR
Theatrical Release Date: 2002
Release Date: November 26, 2002
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Customer Reviews: Read 12 more reviews...
 Must be a big fan May 31, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was not familiar with Opera, never heard of Renee Fleming until I saw the Mormon Tabernacle Choir a couple Xmas's ago. Renee Fleming was the guest. She walked out and was a vision! gorgeous blonde with sparkling blue eyes. When she sang I was blown away and an instant fan! In following days I bought several items of hers, including this dvd. I'm not sure what I expected, but this wasn't it. I watched once and it has been on the shelf gathering dust ever since. Thanks to my new surround sound home theater, I decided to watch all my music related dvd's again!! I'm glad I waited till now to review this. I liked this much better the second time. You can't just be a fan of opera though, you must really like Renee, and we see her warts and all.
It's odd to see how uncomfortable she seems in her own skin, and doubtfull of her insanely perfect voice. Very little "Biography" type info, which was disappointing. Tony Palmer was trying to be too artsy as well. It opens with an old "Muppets" clip with Renee singing to them about counting, then immediate flash to Renee singing at the still smoldering 9-11 site. Then somber Ingmar Bergman type music as we see some pictures of Renee as a child. Then flash to what looks like a homeless man directing an orchestra while Renee, looking haggard with wild hair sings and spits. On second viewing though, I appreciated her really letting her guard down as they filmed all.
Her version of "Never walk Alone" gives me the chills. I had the stereo SO loud and watched five times in a row. That brings us back to the artsy complaint....what's with the guys playing soccer during that stirring performance?? and why did Tony think we wanted to see them instead of Renee? I say if you are new to Opera, and are starting with one of it's big stars, don't buy this. If you really like Renee specifically and can get it for a good deal, get it and watch twice. Especially before reviewing. It's better the second time... AND buy Renee's Xmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir which was filmed for dvd! It's the BEST.
 So-so documentary on the great diva May 5, 2007
3 out of 3 found this review helpful
Well, I cannot have everything. This is a very so-so documentary with some interesting off-stage moments and interviews with the wonderful Renee Fleming. However, it's just too short coming in at 1 hr. Left me wanting more for both our magnificent diva and my money. Renee deserved a much better documentary and so did her fans.
I wish Renee had discussed some of the more controversial moments in her career. It was fun to see her early childhood pictures (very cute) and the Muppets performance which had me cracking up. I question why the director followed this amusing clip with the heartbreaking performance of "Amazing Grace" at a Ground Zero tribute. It was lack of taste by Tony Palmer.
Personally, I would have liked to see more archived rehearsal and stage performance footage. Renee's two daughters are adorable and make a few appearances. I think if more additional performance footage had been added and brought the documentary to over 2 hrs then I'd feel not so shorted out of $.
 I LOVED this DVD! May 23, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
I could not disagree more with the below reviewer! I am a huge Renee Fleming fan; as a young singer myself (21), I look to her for inspiration. Yes, her voice is gorgeous ... but what this DVD does amazingly well is to capture a bit of Renee Fleming, the person. We see in this a woman who lives an incredibly hectic life with grace that most of us only dream of. It is an amazingly honest view of her talent and vocal versatility, as well as a tribute to an amazingly genuine, down to earth person. I watch this DVD over and over, just to observe what a marvelous actress she is (especially in the version of Otello that they show).
PS -- Reading her book, "The Inner Voice," really enhanced the DVD viewing for me.
 Ms. Fleming deserves so much better. July 25, 2005
8 out of 10 found this review helpful
This DVD is pathetic. I love Renee Fleming with all my heart and there is nothing I would rather do than listen to her sing. It is too bad we didn't get more of that in this film. What is good in this film are a few clips of Renee singing and rehearsing. What is bad are a many useless interviews with the people around her (probably due to the interviewer asking all the wrong things), long interviews with people who have no more insight into Renee and her music than an enthusiastic fan might, incredibly tacky editing (including an instantaneous jump from Renee on Sesame Street to Renee singing at the site of the 9/11 attacks), a bunch of very gratuitous shots of Renee rubbing elbows with big names, a slow pace, random still shots of oceans and sunsets thrown around as filler, some ghastly boy soprano filler music, and just a general sense of taking a long time to say very little. I learned just about nothing from this DVD. Renee is lovely throughout it...she is not the problem. The problem is in the direction. Tony Palmer, shame on you. Renee Fleming deserved a classy, informative tribute full of singing and insight instead of this pile of junk.
A Natual High! June 16, 2005
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
Renee Fleming is one of the few singers who can give me a natural high!!! Her voice is so beautiful that if I hear her sing on a good quality sound system, I literally will feel a rush of endorphins.
I appreciate Renee's honesty about her insecurities and initial vocal difficulties. To think that one of the most beautiful voices in the world (and THE most beautiful in my opinion) claims NOT to be a natural singer (according to her very helpful and inspiring book, "The Inner Voice").
Though I in no way begrudge Renee her transcendentally gorgeous voice, I will admit that I am jealous! :-) She's so lucky to be the bearer of such an instrument--she also is highly intelligent, reflective, and deeply devoted to her family.
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