sandrastreeter Sadly, I didn't appreciate the Carprenters until after Karen's death--young, stupid, inexperienced in romantic relationships, I guess, so lacking in taste! Also, hadn't had the classical vocal training I've since accrued, so couldn't have remarked earlier on what an exquisite voice we had the privilege to know. As a blind viewer, I can't, obviously, comment on the visuals, but Gibb was, in terms of speaking voice, remarkably similar to Karen (check out YouTube interviews)--this from someone who has "made a career" out of discerning between voices--Cynthia was only slightly higher, and had a very similar timbre. I would love to either read the screen play, or find an audio-described version that would catch me up on the visual aspects. I will say that a director/producer is only as good as the material provided--the family kept a lot of details hidden (typical of eating-disorder families not in recovery, especially then), and so, we don't have a chance for an accurate picture, and ironically, the fact that it skims over much or the inward aspects of anorexia is similar to how it is experienced until recovery: only the surface aspects are evident, until the person gets into therapy and uncovers what the illness is saying. And, back then, we knew so little about anorexia, so I don't find much fault in how it was presented here--we only had two hours (less, accounting for the time used up by commercials). If you go online, you can find some DVDs of the movie. I do hope that a more thorough and lengthier biopic will emerge after Richard has passed (preferably, before--if he can come to acknowledge that what their family has gone through is not shameful or terribly unique and deserves to be told truthfully, to assist others so they won't meet the same fate as his sister).

lynchfilmlover I have seen this film a number of times now and although it has major faults, it really is the music and the unique beauty of Karen's voice that steals this film. The soundtrack, as you would expect, is breathtaking. I loved The Carpenter music and both Karen and Richard were so far ahead of their time that to lose her at such a young age was such a tragedy.It begins with Karen's death. Bringing the harsh reality and reminder that this doesn't end well. It then moves into Karen at 13 and Ruchard 16, i believe. It tells the story of how Richard was supposedly the family favourite and he will become a star with Karen seemingly brushed aside by the family. The family plays a part in both of their future illnesses of both, i believe. By Richard's Mum giving him the sleeping pills that he became addicted to throughout the film and the old fashioned way that it is portrayed that the Mother just never said "I love you". Yuu really have to see this film to see how profound this possibly or even must've affected Karen.It is interesting, in hindsight, to read that Richard Carpenter, who had major involvement in the this, and the music side of the film, says he hates it now. He is quoted in the notes of the 35th anniversary CD that most of the dialogue is fictitious. He also states a number of inaccuracies. Apparently both Karen and Richard never collapsed in real life. Equally, the scene at the end when Karen's Mother finally says "I Love you" never happened. It was put in to give the film a happy ending, despite was death following. Putting these things aside though, it is a film worth watching.Cynthia Gibb plays Karen well. She comes across as a sweet, naive yet troubled girl who seems to be innocent through out the film. Of course her anorexia comes from peer pressure, being in the public eye and the fact that Karen never believed she was good enough for her parents. Though once again, i always thought the "chubby little sister" quote was true. However after research is was actually Richard that was quoted as chubby.I must say that it really is a lovely film, if you can call it that considering how it ends up. Their story is so wonderful from early talent show wins through to songs at the top of the charts. So many of the original songs are here. When Cynthia sings the opening line of "All of my life" but out of key and then Richard changes it, i defy you to not have your breath taken away by Karen's stunning vocals kicking in.The film also tells the story of their demons. As already mentioned, Richard's addiction to sleeping pills and of course Karens battle with anorexia and bulimia. It is tough to watch at times as we all know this all, albeit with the unreal buts put in, really happened. It is quite a short film and it does skirt over things very quickly at times. For instance Karen's marriage and subsequent divorce is played out within five minutes. Though once again i urge you to find a better use of a song when "Masquarade" is used over these moments.Remembering that this is based upon what really happened and taking into consideration, as stated, how Richard feels about this film, it still is a good watch. Cynthia Gib is so wonderful that at times it is hard to picture her not being Karen, she really does play it that well. The already mentioned end scene with her Mother telling her she loves her is really beautiful, even if again, it didn't happen.The film also gives the impression that Karen did not record any solo material. She recorded a solo album in 1979, though it was not released until 1996.I am by no means slating the film for the inaccuracies. I adored The Carpenters and still listen to then to this day. It is a shame that so called biopics have to change the facts so readily and thus making those facts go into the public domain.Having said that, this is a wonderful film to watch. At this stage it has never been released on DVD or VHS. if you see it listed in your television guides, catch it. Enjoy the beautiful vocal tones of Richard and Karen, maybe even add some of their albums to your collection.

matt_tawesson-1 I first saw this movie back in 1994 or '95 during my freshman year in high school when it was on Lifetime. After I first saw it, I thought it was wonderful. Sure, it may not have run longer, but it is as accurate as can be in my own opinion (regardless of what anyone else may think). Cynthia Gibb was great at portraying Karen, and Mitchell Anderson was okay as Richard. Louise Fletcher (Yes, who played Nurse Ratched in 1975's "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest") was fine as well, but I found her version of Agnes (Karen and Richard's mother) to be a little bit of a control freak. I am an EXTREMELY HUGE fan of the Carpenters, and I believe that Karen's voice was and still is so wonderful. It really saddens me about the fact that she is gone and had left this earth too soon, but thanks to the never ending popularity of her music and her angelic voice, the music will live on. Anyway, back on track to this movie, it really is a mystery to me and possibly other people (fans and non-fans of the Carpenters) as to what caused Karen to end up getting this problem with her health. Was it the media that was responsible or was it just Karen's decision? I would not believe that it was her decision. It could have been the media from one article that was printed out about her somewhere in '70, when their hit "Close to You" came out (from what was shown in the film). There are some other moments in the movie as well. Richard's struggle with drugs, and Karen's brief marriage. I did not hear about her loss in February of 1983, as I was not yet into watching the news; I had found out years later. I don't know if there will be another movie about the Carpenters or Karen made in the future, but until then, this movie will do fine. I will say this though: If Karen had disregarded the false details of that article or any future articles that might have been published with similar content calling her "chubby" (which must have been quite an insult), she would still be here on this earth today. I know that she is in Heaven and probably entertaining everyone with her beautiful voice. God bless you, Karen!!

lambiepie-2 Yes, this is one of the better done television movies and I wouldn't expect less from Joe Sargent. One thing for this reviewer is that I was also a great fan of The Carpenters, I got to sing all of their material in elementary school and middle school choir and I got to do much of the solo material of which Karen sang lead. I thought she was one of the most wonderful pop singers of the 70's - and being a child/teen singing these songs and learning music - the one thing I was looking forward to was meeting this woman. I never got to, she died three weeks before that was to happen. And yes, that did effect me for I knew nothing of anorexia - and could not understand completely what happened.When this TV movie got produced, I got quite an understanding. Maybe not everything in Karen and Richard's life is open to the television audience, but in opening the parts that were shown, I got to understand much from the music industry of that time. What upsets me is that I am writing "of that time" and seeing "now". No one has learned a darned thing, even though this was a very informative and heartfelt look into a family's problems in the music industry.These films aren't done for fun, they're done to open a door and show us something. Here was a wonderful woman who got caught up in the whole idea that her talent was based on weight. She was fine. Didn't know it. She got mixed messages about her weight from the brother she loved, the parents she loved and the music industry that cared more about her looks/weight than the talent within. With the onset of MTV, it got worse. With 'American Idol' it's like a puss festering in an English accent.A wonderful TV film, I am sure later someone may give it an HBO treatment but either way, many lessons to be learned and the absence of another wonderful talent.