Life Support (DVD)

I had to go through heck just to see the entire movie....! Other than that, service was fantastic!

She started off as a rapper who spoke to us about respect and female empowerment but the lady also known as Dana Owens has come a long way since then. She's a genuine Hollywood Power Player and bona fide movie star these days. Not every role she's chosen has resulted in box office success but she has always been very thoughtful in her choices. Where there has been success, iconic and commercial, whether it be in a drama, comedy or musical, (from movies like  Jungle Fever  and  Juice , to  Set It Off  and  House Party 2 , to others like  Chicago (Widescreen Edition)  and  Barbershop 2 - Back in Business (Special Edition) ), she's been one of the ones to watch. I was really excited when I learned earlier this year that she was to play this role. As HBO doesn't screen in this country I knew I was going to have to hope that it made it to DVD and luckily, it eventually did. I ordered my copy without a second thought.This is a real life story based on director Nelson George's sister Andrea Williams who is HIV positive. Latifah plays Ana, a character based on Williams and we watch Ana as she works hard as a community AIDS activist to spread the safer sex/HIV prevention message through Life Support, the organisation she works for in Brooklyn, New York. We also watch her while she struggles to redeem herself for her past life decisions (she was a crack addict, apparently) not only in her own eyes but in the eyes of her mother Lucille, played by Anna Deavere Smith, and of her teenage daughter Kelly, played by Rachel Nicks, custodial rights to whom she had to give up to her mother as a result of her troubled past. We also watch her as she negotiates another challenging relationship in her life, i.e. with her husband Slick, played by the excellent Wendell Pierce, who is also living with HIV. It's an amazing piece of work and we get a glimpse into what it's really like for people (mostly women though, interestingly enough - I was like, where are the men?) whose lives have been impacted by this virus. It's not always easy to watch. Look out for a brilliant performance by Evan Ross who plays Amare, a troubled young HIV+ gay man who is best friends with Kelly. It's truly gut wrenching to watch him flounder, trying to deal with a whole range of issues, without the support he so desperately needs.On a lighter note though, Brooklyn is one of my favourite places on the planet and it was really fun to see the various great location pieces Nelson George used in the movie. I think it is noteworthy though, that this movie hasn't had the profile that I feel it deserves. It makes me wonder why not. It could be that the message I got from the movie (that HIV is out there, it's real and we're all at risk) might not be one that audiences are willing to take on board. Given that HIV/AIDS are collectively a bigger problem in our communities than they were when they first appeared 25 years ago (and not a smaller one as one might have hoped), I wonder if we have the right attitude. People are still getting infected, people are still dying and it's not just gays, drug addicts or people from sub-Saharan Africa either.Soapbox minute over, I think it was incredibly brave of Andrea Williams to put herself forward like this, of Nelson George to tackle the issue head on and of all the actors who agreed to participate in this project, Latifah most of all. But then she's never been afraid of taking on a challenge. I've invited friends round to watch it and have lent it to others so they can invite their friends round to watch it. I truly feel this is a movie we (especially black people) all need to see. I highly recommend it.Latifah received a well-earned Emmy nomination for her performance but was pipped to the post by an equally deserving Helen Mirren who won for her performance in  Prime Suspect 7 - The Final Act . There were notable performances also, from Gloria Reuben, Tracey Ellis Ross and Darrin Henson.DVD extras include: an on-set diary with the director Nelson George; an exclusive deleted scene; a short piece called "Interview with Andrea Williams: The Inspiration for "Life Support"", and "The Story Behind The Story" - a behind the scenes featurette with Queen Latifah, Nelson George and Andrea Williams.

This movie touch a few people who are struggling with HIV/AIDS. This is a true story of a women who is struggling with the virus, but she tries her best to move on. Although she has to deal with the fact that she lost custody from her oldest daughter, and she is trying to be the best mother for her youngest daughter. And she also had to put up with her mother's criticism. And she has to earn her oldest daughter's love and trust because of her drug habit. And of course her husband's mess. And of course he is not innocent himself because he was a drug addict and himself he is struggling with HIV/AIDS. And the oldest daughter tries to help out a friend who is also struggling with HIV/AIDS and sad enough his sister and his whole family don't want to have anything to do with him. But once again this movie is really touching. And it is very important to try to stop HIV/AIDS from happening.Dee SmallsDecatur GA.

So the preview was good the movie itself kind of dragged but the content wasn't very necessary

Soo annoyed how hidden and underrated this movie is!! The realism and the main couple Queen Latifah’s and Slick have great chemistry!! I would never have thought it!! A favorite movie hands down!!! It’s a shame I never remember seeing it be promoted or anything. Yet the foolish movies are everywhere. These kind of thought provoking movies are treasures!! In my humble opinion some of Latifah’s best work!

I'm a clinical social worker working in a residential substance abuse program, and this movie depicts the reality that people, especially women experience. In looking at it through the recovery part, you see the main character (Queen Latifah) go through some defense mechanisms and shows some relapse behavior, but it also shows the importance of having a support group, regardless if it's for addiction or for HIV support. It makes you want to explore with clients the attitudes, beliefs, and myths of people living with HIV and also exploring the attitudes, beliefs, and myths of addiction and addicts as well. It also shows a great scene between a grandmother and a granddaughter that gives insight on the pain and hurt, the consequences, that the family members of an addict go through. This film shows the true meaning of living life on life's terms and that one is powerless of what others think, say, and do. All the actors did a superb job in this film. I highly recommend it.

I purchased this movie simply because Queen Latifah is in it. I've been a fan of her's from way back when she was singing, "Ooooooooooooh, ladies first, ladies first!" lol. I just think she's a positive person that has contributed alot. She not only contributes to the black community, but she reaches out to women of all colors and backgrounds. This movie is a must-see and crosses all color barriers. HIV is something that can affect any and everyone in the human community. It definitely made me see a doc to confirm my own health and peace of mind. Unfortunately not everyone's status will be negative and this movie shows what life can be like for someone who is HIV positive. It was an enlightening and realistic view of a woman's life as she struggled to maintain her family relationships as well as her health. I highly recommend this one.

Other than Queen Latifah, most of the actresses are common every day people who put together a cast that if not compelling, do portray living with HIV/AIDS in a very sensible way. I can't say that guys would really get into this movie, I didn't. For the women, positive or not, this is a movie that will touch heartstrings. Life Support does have a few lighter moments. Combined, when a movie makes me laugh and also shed a tear, I rate it as a good movie-and that is purely personal.After watching Life Support, I donated it to a local HIV/AIDS health care center, and I hope it provides a measure of reassurance and "support" to the clients, that there is "life" after being diagnosed positive.

I am great fan of Queen Latifah this addressed some difficult but relevant issues and although at times quite disturbing was able to leave the viewer feeling reflective and up lifted.

Queen Latifah is a fantastic actress and she nailed her part. Good, inspirational movie, that left me in tears. Amazing

Interesting.

Quick delivery!Good quality.Great movie!

Great movie