Man in the Mirror: The Michael Jackson Story is a
2004 biographical telefilm produced for
VH1. The biopic stars
Flex Alexander as
Michael Jackson, and follows his rise to fame and subsequent controversial events. The film takes its title from one of Jackson's songs, "
Man in the Mirror".
The film originally aired on
August 6,
2004 receiving, a TV rating of
TV-PG for language. It is available on
DVD, where it is distributed by
Paramount Home Entertainment and is rated
PG-13 for some brief language and thematic elements by the
MPAA.
Plot
The often-controversial story of one of the world's most popular entertainers comes to life in this made-for-cable biographical drama. Michael Jackson (
Alexander) grew up in the spotlight as a member of the popular
R&B combo
the Jackson 5, but his youthful success came with a price -- robbed of a normal childhood, as he grew to be a man, Jackson found himself increasingly eager to remake his life into the childhood he never had.
In the 1980's, Jackson's solo career caught fire, and his album
Thriller became the biggest selling album of all time, moving over 40 million copies and making him wealthy beyond his wildest dreams. As Jackson struggled to repeat its success, his public image and reputation became increasingly eccentric, and as allegations of drug abuse, excessive plastic surgery, and inappropriate behavior with children were thrown at him, Jackson found himself trapped between his desire to entertain his fans and proving to the world that he was a normal and law-abiding man.
Cast
- Flex Alexander as Michael Jackson
- Eugene Clark as Bobby
- Theresa Browning as Woman
- Marty Antonini as Detective #2
- Tom Carey as Director
- Brian Copping as Elder
- Lynne Cormack as Liz Taylor
- Hugh Delaney as Judge
- Cedric De Souza as Martin Bashir
- Talon Dunbar as Little Boy
- Greg Farkas as Male Dancer
- Brennan Gademans as Young Michael Jackson
- Jason Griffith as Jermaine Jackson
- Patricia Idlette as Katherine Jackson
- Reamonn Joshee as Junkie
- Samantha Kaine as Diana Ross
- Liberty Kee as Nanny
- Katharine Jackson as Martha Upshaw
- Greg Lawson as Detective #1
- Daniel Libman as Dr. Goodman
- Barbara Mamabolo as Janet Jackson
- Brian Martell as Thomas
- Peter Onorati as Ziggy
- Duncan Pattillo as Bodyguard
- Lou Poulis as Gardner
- Brendan Prost as Manny (based on Jordan Chandler)
- Brooklynn Proulx as Paris Jackson
- Krista Rae as Lisa Marie Presley
- Chad Riley as Dance crew member
- Troy Rudolph as Stage Manager
- Carrie Schiffler as Surgeon
- Connor Schmidt as Lisa's Boy
- Peter Skagen as Attorney
- Amy Sloan as Holly
- William S. Taylor as Johnnie Cochran
- April Telek as Debbie Rowe
- Michael Tod as Sick Boy
- Jameson Trenholm as Junkie #2
- Frederic Tucker as Joe Jackson
- Aidan Wilks as David (based on Gavin Arvizo)
- Gerrick Winston as Tito Jackson
- Chris Scheuerman as Security Guard (uncredited)
Award nominations
External links
Michael Jackson
The Jackson 5
Jackson family
