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Mahogany's Choices Were Lousy *Possible Spoilers*


Tracy aka Mahogany was intelligent, charming, lovely and talented clothing designer. Her boss made good use of her skills as her assistant, but did not want her to advance. She fired her when she realized that Tracy was trying to get a job as a designer. Her boyfriend, Brian is selfish and unsupportive of her dreams and aspirations. He appreciated her organizational skills and artistry as it related to HIS aspirations. His campaign took off once she joined the team. His attitude towards her was condescending, macho and insulting. This guy is a candidate for a life partner? Who wrote this story?! Oh wait, Berry Gordy. Hmm, thanks Mr. Gordy for sharing YOUR thoughts on successful man/woman relationships, LOL! The way Tracy's character is passed from man to man, each with an intention to use her for his own purposes is very telling. But, does not make for a great story line for people expected to see a story unfold with some depth and characters we can relate to and identify with. Tracy, the most sympathetic character in the movie, does not seem to be able to overcome her naivete and in the end, she happily and gloriously settles to be with Brian, who while he may be genuine affection for her is like the others, a user. That is why in the end, I cannot say I liked this movie.

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Good points.

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Berry Gordy DIRECTED the film, he did not write the story NOR the screenplay. He and Diana were not even husband and wife anymore, she was married to someone else. Regardless of how you feel about her choices many women have done the same thing, time and time again throughout history, so although it was not how you would like it in your fantasy world, this was a much more realistic situation especially back in those times.

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Realistic situation my ass. Because a black woman from the hood becoming the most in demand model and fashion designer in Italy, being desirable to the most famous photographer and millionaire, only to go back to the hood just to support a guy who she's always getting into an argument with because of her own aspiration is the realistic portrayal of the average black experience?

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I was commenting on the choices she made in the film, like giving up her career to support her man, even when he was being disrespectful. In the early 1970s this was not an uncommon thing. Was it an exaggerated version? Yes, it was. Was it completely unrealistic? No, it wasn't. Movies rarely are exactly like real life, but they give us an idea of how some people live or lived their lives.

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