This TV special features Delta Goodrem in the title role. I confess I was not familiar with her until I watched this show. She is a beautiful, talented actress/singer, but she is not Olivia Newton-John, so the decision to record Ms. Goodrem's versions of ON-J's hits for this special left me wanting. I must admit there were moments when her voice did invoke the tones of Olivia's instrument, but at other times I missed the vulnerable and emotional nature of that original voice.
It's an ambitious undertaking to cover Olivia's less-than-storybook life in two hours, so this biopic hit the highlights of her life rather quickly. Since her life is well-documented, there are no surprises and no untold story. But the narrative is serviceable, with only a couple of glaring omissions.
Those unfamiliar with Olivia's career and life will probably find this story disjointed. Those who witnessed her successes and her trials via the media might wish for revelations not found in this special.
It's an ambitious undertaking to cover Olivia's less-than-storybook life in two hours, so this biopic hit the highlights of her life rather quickly. Since her life is well-documented, there are no surprises and no untold story. But the narrative is serviceable, with only a couple of glaring omissions.
Those unfamiliar with Olivia's career and life will probably find this story disjointed. Those who witnessed her successes and her trials via the media might wish for revelations not found in this special.