Synopsis
Backup singers live in a world that lies just beyond the spotlight. Their voices bring harmony to the biggest bands in popular music, but we've had no idea who these singers are or what lives they lead, until now.
Votre Filmothèque
Cast
- Darlene LoveSelf
- Lisa FischerSelf
- Merry ClaytonSelf
- Judith HillSelf
- Claudia LennearSelf
- Tata VegaSelf
- Patti AustinSelf
- Mick JaggerSelf
- Stevvi AlexanderSelf
- Bette MidlerSelf
Recommandations
- 90
The Hollywood Reporter
Neville unearths a treasure trove of archival TV, concert and film footage featuring many of these vocalists in their heyday, balancing the material with perfectly-lit contemporary studio interviews and performances shot in pristine digital cinematography, supplemented by more informal scenes depicting the frequent challenges of these musicians' careers. - 88
Rolling Stone
Sometimes it's racism; sometimes bum luck; sometimes it's producer Phil Spector putting Love's voice in another singer's mouth. You watch. You hear the gospel spoken in the voices of these women. And you marvel. - 85
Film.com
A well-polished production with a remarkable soundtrack. - 83
The A.V. Club
Twenty Feet From Stardom touches on fascinating issues, but too often it does no more than that. - 80
Variety
For most of its running time, this personality-packed docu is nothing short of absorbing as it recaps the essential role African-American background singers played in shaping the sound of 20th-century pop music. - 80
Time Out
The sisterhood who have made this an art form mostly remain unsung heroes, as it were, of the hit parade. Their collective bow is long overdue. - 80
Village Voice
It does what the most powerful films and music have always done, which is to spark contemplation of our own lives and choices, and our place in the world, while also stoking compassion and empathy for lives far removed from our own. - 75
Slant Magazine
This joyous documentary leaves us wanting to immediately seek out the incredible, sometimes unfamiliar music we've just heard.
