Beyonce co-directed and co-produced “Life is but a Dream” (8 p.m. Feb. 16, HBO; 2 stars out of 4), supposedly an intimate look at her life and work. But the HBO special comes off more as another managed attempt to forge the legend of Queen B.
Sure, old home videos show that Beyonce always has been a star, but instead of sharing some honest feelings with us, she sticks to hokey platitudes like, “My feelings get hurt like anyone else.”
We do see how she’s able to work it on stage; her work ethic is killer. And she’s a powerhouse entertainer, to be sure. We see a recording sequence where she gets upset at herself and curses, “Oh shit!,” and then busts out with laughter.
That’s the Beyonce I wanted to see more of in this special. Aside from that candid, refreshing moment, I don’t think I know Beyonce any better.
She mentions her miscarriage and talks about her love for husband Jay-Z and daughter Blue Ivy. She admits her drive and professionalism come from her father and reveals the relationship with Matthew Knowles suffered as a result of the decision to break from his management in 2011.
Still, she should quit while she’s ahead. Part of that sequence is as overdone as an Oprah interview (which, by the way, will air on “Oprah’s Next Chapter” at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 on OWN–Beyonce all the time!)
“I’m so fragile at this point,” she says as she talks of her father. “I feel like my soul has been tarnished.”
Oy Bey. Put a gag in it.
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