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Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

2021 1h 29m Documentary Music List
91% Tomatometer 23 Reviews 100% Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
DON'T MAKE ME OVER reveals the intimate stories behind a pioneering artist who took charge of her own career and smashed through cultural, racial and gender barriers to become the soundtrack for generations. The documentary feature brings to life the real Dionne Warwick -- the artist behind timeless hits such as What the World Needs Now, Say a Little Prayer and Don't Make Me Over. What few people know, is that behind the iconic music is a strong woman whose fierce determination not only brought her worldwide success, but also a voice she used to fight for humanitarian causes.
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Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

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Critics Consensus

Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over sticks to the standard rock doc formula, but its fascinating subject ensures it rarely hits a false note.

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Critics Reviews

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Chris Azzopardi New York Times Overall, “Don’t Make Me Over” gets the job done, albeit in a formulaic, straightforward fashion. Feb 2, 2023 Full Review Owen Gleiberman Variety The movie truly understands what a transformational figure she was. Mar 9, 2022 Full Review Valerie Complex Deadline Hollywood Daily Don't try to make her over. Her fans love her the way she is. Sep 24, 2021 Full Review Matt Roush TV Insider Even so, the industry didn’t always know where she fit in, and Warwick proudly displays a European record cover displaying a white woman’s image... Rated: 3.5/5 Jan 6, 2023 Full Review Carla Hay Culture Mix This documentary doesn't uncover new information, but it's a thoroughly engaging and comprehensive look at the life and career of the talented, sassy, and outspoken Dionne Warwick. Dec 31, 2022 Full Review Christopher Bourne In Review Online Heilbroner and Wooley ... don't even attempt to make a visually or formally interesting film. This is about as standard as doc packages get. Nov 19, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (3) audience reviews
paul a A touching anthology of a gifted , warm hearted artist whose voice brought so much joy to others. Her generosity and caring will bring you to tears. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 03/02/23 Full Review Paul A "Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over" (2021 release; 95 min) is a bio-documentary about the life and times of the legendary singer. Dionne herself does most of the talking, as she reflects on her very humble beginnings working her way up to get the approval of the Apollo Theater audience, and then eventually getting noticed by/pairing up with Burt Bacharach and Hal David... Couple of comments: this documentary is co-directed by Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner ("Say Her Name: The Life and Death of Sandra Bland"). It is in every which way a straight-forward, Dionne Warwick-approved and endorsed look at the music icon. The documentary's first half is by far the more interesting one, when we watch how Warwick, backed by the impeccable songs from Bacharach-David, is able to bridge the otherwise impassable gap between "black" and "white" audiences. Check out the early video clip of the breakthrough song "Don't Make Me Over'. Just priceless. Check out as well how Warwick reacts to what it was like touring in the deep South in the mid-60s (the all-out unapologetic racism and worse remains shocking to this day, but hey, that was America!). The film's second half is okay but just okay. There is a seemingly endless parade of talking heads singing the praises of Ms. Warwick (But Bacharach, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight, Barry Gordon Jr., Elton John, Clive Davis, and on and on). There isn't a single negative or critical note or question in the entire documentary. "Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over" premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and then was optioned by CNN+, the streaming service which died on the vine in no time. The documentary finally started showing on CNN yesterday (New Year's Day) and that's where I caught it. Whether you are a die-hard fan or just a casual fan of Dionne Warwick, I'd readily suggest you check this out and draw your own conclusion. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/12/23 Full Review Dominique S Can't say anything about this Queen. Nothing but talent and new information Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Dionne Warwick: Don't Make Me Over

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Cast & Crew

No Ordinary Man 94% 60% No Ordinary Man TRAILER for No Ordinary Man Let the Canary Sing 83% 93% Let the Canary Sing TRAILER for Let the Canary Sing Charli XCX: Alone Together 85% 70% Charli XCX: Alone Together TRAILER for Charli XCX: Alone Together P!nk: All I Know So Far 69% 89% P!nk: All I Know So Far TRAILER for P!nk: All I Know So Far Shawn Mendes: In Wonder 47% 79% Shawn Mendes: In Wonder Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis DON'T MAKE ME OVER reveals the intimate stories behind a pioneering artist who took charge of her own career and smashed through cultural, racial and gender barriers to become the soundtrack for generations. The documentary feature brings to life the real Dionne Warwick -- the artist behind timeless hits such as What the World Needs Now, Say a Little Prayer and Don't Make Me Over. What few people know, is that behind the iconic music is a strong woman whose fierce determination not only brought her worldwide success, but also a voice she used to fight for humanitarian causes.
Director
David Heilbroner, Dave Wooley
Producer
Dave Wooley
Screenwriter
Dave Wooley, Dave Wooley
Production Co
E1 Entertainment, Endeavor Content, Wooley Entertainment., Mister Smith Entertainment
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Feb 2, 2023
Runtime
1h 29m
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