Haven't posted for a long time but the conversation today made me decide to say something. It might not be popular. LOL
We live in a world where it's OK to say anything including things about which we are essentially ignorant. Some cultures have a teaching that one should only speak when what is said has three important qualities - it's appropriate, it's truthful and it's constructive. A critique constructively given has a much different energy not only for the recipient but for all who are party to the interaction.
If all members would keep this in mind before posting, we wouldn't have the exodus of as many loyal and loving Adamtopians.
I wrote an article four years ago on Magical Voice. My three subjects were Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Adam. I did a lot of research on Celine but I am not a Celine fan or devotee. However she has had neither a boring or mundane life.
I am very struck by the title of the Biopic because it speaks to the heart of what is so special. Her life was an exercise in the power of love. So here are some facts. Perhaps you might want to consider them if you think her life couldn't be made into a very compelling film.
1) Celine was born the yougest of 14 children in a poverty-stricken yet happy home in Charlemagne, Quebec where music was always part of the family She was named, in fact, for a french song recorded two years before she was born
2) Her father worked 18 hours a day in a factory but they finally could buy a small piece of land and build a house and a small Piano bar. Celine and her siblings performed there and she knew very early that this was what she wanted.
3) She had to stop school at 12 years old due to povery and turned to music. She collaborated with her mother and a brother to compose her first song "Ce n'etait qu'in reve" (It was only a dream). Unbeknowlst to anyone, another brother sent the recording to a music manager WHOSE NAME HE FOUND ON THE BACK OF SOME RECORD ALBUM - Sounding like the kind of coincidence of someone we know signing BoRhap at a certain audition??) That person was Rene Angelil who was moved to tears by the song and decided to make her a star. He MORTGAGED HIS HOUSE to fund her first record which became a hit locally and catipulated her to stardom in Quebec. She was around 13 years old
4) Starting at the time, as soon as she had some funds, she was a voice for Cystic Fibrosis as a close family member was born with it and later would die in her arms
5) Angelil managed her (surviving a heart attach at age 49) and she went on to win various awards but it was not until she told Rene that she wanted to be a star like Michael Jackson, he pulled her back for awhile. She had dental surgery to improve her appearance, sent to school to work on her English and she had to learn to sing without injuring her voice which happened during a concert. She was told either surgery or complete rest and training the latter of which is what she did.
6) Big breakthrough came in a animated Disney Film Beauty and the Beast in a duet. Academy Award, Grammy for best pop performance by duo or group and her second top 10 US single.
7) And then to the center theme of the film - Rene loved Celine even as a child of eleven. He was 26 years older. When she reached her twenties, they became lovers but secretly for fear of public backlash. She couldn't hold back for long and in her Album The Color of My Love declared that he was the color of her love. The fans wildly embraced the couple.
8) She fought her family - first time in her life - and married Rene in 1994 in a story book ceremony and the Notre Dame Basicica in Montreal televised live. She was 26 and he was 52.
9) Her career rocketed and by the end of the 90's she was in the company of the biggest pop divas sharing the stage with Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey etc.
10) At the pinnacle of her fame in 1999, Rene was diagnosed with throat cancer. She took 3 F**ing years off at the prime of her career to take care of him. They dramatically renewed their vows and their efforts to have children. She had had years of failed attempts and underwent surgery and was finally able to conceive her first child, a son, and name sake for her husband
11) Rene went into remission and she celebrated with her Las Vegas Show "A New Day Has Come" If you read the stats on that show, it is mindboggling.
12) She donated millions to all knids of charities including a million to Katrina victims and raised more than a million for the tsunami victims in fund raiesers.
13) She gave birth to twins after seven more years of in vitro
14) The cancer returned in 2013 and Rene died in January of 2016 of a heart attack. He only had a few months left to live due to the cancer so perhaps that was a blessing. Celine was with him all the way with a love that knew no boundaries.
15) Her first performance after his death was to sing his favorite song and one that impelled her to continue her career. You might know this song. It's called "The Show Must Go On"