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Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds

Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds (2017)

January. 11,2017
|
7.9
| Documentary

An intimate portrait of Hollywood royalty featuring Debbie Reynolds, Todd Fisher, and Carrie Fisher.

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Jeanskynebu
2017/01/11

the audience applauded

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Dynamixor
2017/01/12

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

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Mathilde the Guild
2017/01/13

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

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Scarlet
2017/01/14

The film never slows down or bores, plunging from one harrowing sequence to the next.

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Irishchatter
2017/01/15

My parents and myself watched this after a few weeks when both women died. It is just so sad that Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds died a day of one another. Some people say its creepy but it seems like the way it was. Carrie didn't look good at all, she looked as if she was Debbie Reynold's mother since Debbie Reynolds still looks like she was in her late 50's than being in her 80's. The drugs really did make her look old and I'm not saying this to criticize her because shes a legend, however I have to admit, you do see the side effects. She did look beautiful from when she was Princess Leia to the late 90s. It didn't help when her parents divorced and her father ran off with Elizabeth Taylor. Even worse, he became a druggie and left his children to try out his weed for themselves when they were teenagers.At least Debbie Reynolds really tried her best to support her kids and the fact they became a success like her, its wonderful! I was shocked during the documentary that she badly bruised her face from a fall. Poor thing, it was awful to hear about that! I am quite sad writing down this review because both women were part of my childhood and I thank them for entertaining all generations over the years. RIP Princess Leia and Kathy Selden <3

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calvinnme
2017/01/16

When Carrie Fisher passed away unexpectedly late last year, at that time knowing nothing about the health of her mother, Debbie Reynolds, only her age - 84 - I thought to myself, this kind of a shock could do a person in at that age. And the next day it did.This documentary shows these two as much more than just mother and daughter, but fast friends. It is a great tribute to both ladies. It talks a little bit about Debbie's past problems - being abandoned by her husband with two small children, then marrying a guy she thought would bring her family some stability and security, but it didn't - he in fact bankrupted them with his compulsive gambling. And she faced all of this with dignity and was a fighter.Debbie doesn't do that much talking for or about herself. In fact through most of the documentary it is mentioned how she is feeling just awful, but you'd never guess it. She is always dressed to the nines and smiling - something Carrie said she learned as a recruit in the old studio system at MGM. And then, feeling awful, Debbie books a Las Vegas show and brings her children into the act because she simply can't do the whole show. She just couldn't retire outright because she loved entertaining and loved the audiences.Carrie does most of the talking. Like mom, she is a fighter, and also has quite a sense of humor. She fought her way back from a childhood in which she was abandoned by her dad, Eddie Fisher, in every way possible. It's like he just left them behind like they were part of a past life - until Carrie had some success and he came back asking for money. She fought her way back from drug addiction and her failed marriage to Paul Simon, who was much older than she, and during the documentary she is quite open about her battle with her weight as she tries to get the pounds off with the help of a trainer in preparation for the Star Wars film, "Episode 7". The trainer keeps trying to take her sodas away from her - which she keeps replenishing.Carrie has a visit from old childhood chum Griffin Dunne, and they easily talk about their youth. After all of the awful stuff you have just learned about her dad, Eddie Fisher, and his parental negligence, Carrie goes to visit him, and he does look like death warmed over at this point, and Carrie tells him that she loves him and she seems to really mean it. It is revealed during the documentary that Eddie Fisher was a drug addict too, and I think having that common experience with her dad has made it easier for her to forgive him. What a classy lady. Eddie Fisher passed away in 2010, so obviously this part of the documentary was shot much earlier.Todd, Carrie's younger brother, is in the documentary too, but he doesn't have much to say.The documentary is not in "this is your life" style. It is more just following Debbie and Carrie around and showing the deep relationship and love they had for one another. Dance on in the afterlife classy ladies, you'll both be terribly missed. I miss you already.Obviously, highly recommended.

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makegoodmovies
2017/01/17

First of all, I am sad about the passing of the ladies, Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher. Their lives are quite relevant and fascinating.Second, and sadly, more important, I hope we get a chance to see a true documentary that these two deserve. While the truth is important, if the horrors of misfortune and tragedy, outshine or overshadow the blessings, there would appear to be no intent to honor the deceased. It is my opinion that Bright Lights was more of a money-grubbing trashy reality TV style slap in the face of humanity. HBO should be ashamed for letting this appear. At the very least, call it a MOCKumentary and not a documentary. A low level for bad taste for HBO.

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heyjay40
2017/01/18

I saw this last month at the AFI. Funny, witty, charming, sad, tragic...all of this...now even more sad and tragic with Carrie's passing today. I am so glad I saw this while she was still living. It was filmed over a year ago, but it was so moving and touching. My heart goes out to Debbie, we all thought she'd pass before her daughter. You made a difference Carrie and you left a legacy of your own behind. This documentary is about a mother and daughter, a famous mother and daughter at that. They went through so many hard times, yet there were wonderful times as well. Both are legends in their own right. Two legends in the same family.

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