Movie #1911 ........................."Self Made" (Netflix streaming)

Movie #1911 "Self Made" (netflix streaming)  This is a limited series (only 4 episodes, 45 minutes each) about the first female entrepreneur starring Octavia Spencer -- she had Blair Underwood who plays her hubby really do a fine job bringing these people to life on the screen.  There's good music in the background, and interesting casting with Tiffany Haddish playing her daughter.  It's nice to see her in this kind of role (instead of the broad comedy we usually see her doing), but I wasn't totally convinced that this was a bit too challenging for her in her first step out into drama --- she seemed not to work through the moments, but it's a smaller part than some of the others, so it didn't ruin the film at all --- and her smile is reassuring throughout.  But what a story --- the viewer can gain so much information on the place women had at the time (eg, when she is trying to persuade a room full of men to lend her money so she can make a factory, they won't listen to her and insist on talking to her husband because he's a man).  Also we see Booker T. Washington (hm, he wasn't very supportive) .  The show makes you think of the place women's hair has with their identify, esp. black women's hair which needs different styling and its own products. And no one had really offered that before.  Madame C. J. kind of falls into the job when she is judged as not good looking enough to sell hair products for another woman --- she is so brave, relentless, independent, confrontational, etc.  Fun character to watch.  And the love story is interesting when the conflict concerns love vs. both of their egos.  Finally, the importance of a legacy if you have built something from the ground up --- that was found in this series, as well.  I'd give it 4 stars out of 5 and recommend it.  Good story, and good production value of the show, including sets, costumes, wigs and makeup, etc.

"SELF MADE"   3 hours ands 11 mins     2020

The inspiring story of trailblazing African American entrepreneur Madam C.J. Walker who built a haircare empire that made her America's first female self-made millionaire.

Stars:

 Octavia Spencer, Tiffany Haddish, Carmen Ejogo , blair underwood