PG-13

Introducing Dorothy Dandridge

Right woman. Right place. Wrong time.

1999 • 115 min • Drama · TV Movie

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Synopsis

An acclaimed stage performer, Dorothy still struggled with the challenge of her color, in a time that wouldn't let some stars in by the front door. Yet against the odds she beat out many more famous rivals for the role of "Carmen Jones", becoming the first black woman ever nominated for a Best Actress Academy Award. Marriages and affairs would break her heart, but her heart was strong. Seductive and easily seduced, she was born to be a star - with all the glory and all the pain of being loved, abused, cheated, glorified, undermined and undefeated. Here was a woman who wouldn't wait in the wings. Halle Berry stars as Dorothy Dandrige.

Our family guide

Best from age 13

Movie Knight Score

51 reviews

64 Audience · 51 · 100%

This biopic tells the story of Dorothy Dandridge, the first Black woman nominated for a Best Actress Oscar. It covers her rise to stardom, the challenges she faced as a Black woman in Hollywood, and her complex personal life, including difficult relationships and struggles with discrimination.

Violence & peril: 3/10
Language: 3/10
Drinking, drugs & smoking: 4/10
Romance & sensuality: 5/10
Scary moments: 2/10

Heads up

Depictions of domestic abuse and emotional manipulation
Substance use, including alcohol and prescription drugs
Several suggestive scenes and implied sexual encounters

What it models well

Resilience in the face of adversity
Breaking barriers and defying expectations
Pursuit of a dream

Talk about it after

The impact of racial discrimination in entertainment
Navigating fame and personal challenges
The complexities of romantic relationships

Written by the Movie Knight editorial team for Introducing Dorothy Dandridge. Our own words, our own scoring — always double-check against your family's standards.