Good , But It Is Overrated By Some

Fresh and Exciting

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

How come a journalist like Bashir can tarnish the fame of a great genius like Michael Jackson... Insinuation of pedophily, homosexuality, weard eccentric..etc. I think M.J. already knew that he would leave earth at the age of 50 . He had some talked during a trip to Africa ... We helped both with our fantasies in the creation of this icon and still today, this man is a mystery. I regret sincerely that Michael passed away because of drugs addiction in some way linked with is incapacity of dealing with is own demons but Aldo with the foolishness of people who didn't understand real creation. They don't have any Idea of what is about thinking outside of the box !!!R.I.P. My angel.

This was one of the most watched programme's in 2003, we have no idea what Michael Jackson is like out of the spotlight, and we've had the trial when accused of abusing children, so we still question. Anyway, it is such a shame about what he has become, he is better known as Wacko Jacko, but I still wanted to see what he was like as a person. Martin Bashir is the interviewer who took up the challenge over about eight months to find out some of the most interesting parts of his private life. He tried to learn how to moonwalk, saw Jackson speak the English accent, visited Neverland, climbed his inspiration/giving tree, went shopping in Las Vegas, met his children, and much more. This programme was of course repeated after Jackson's tragic death aged 50, and I do still question whether he was right to be cleared of all charges, but I can ignore it and appreciate he was an outstanding singer and dancer. It was nominated the BAFTA for Best Sound (Factual). Michael Jackson was number 14 on The 100 Greatest Pop Culture Icons, and he was number 6 on The Ultimate Pop Star, and the programme was number 3 on The 100 Greatest TV Treats 2003. Very good!

The problem I have with the heavy handedness of Bashir's, ahem, journalism (and yes Mr. Moore-ibid you too)is that it just isn't any good. Which would be alright if Martin didn't have this almost pedagogical desire to come off as a concerned Smarty McSmarty. It doesn't take an intellectual heavyweight to see that Michael Jackson obviously has deep, deep trauma that's surfacing in a variety of disorders. A psych student would label him body-dysmorphic with their eyes closed. So why does Bashir keep beating the same questions to death? Does he expect Jackson to break down and admit that he's had 20 zillion operations? That he spends money in a vacant equilibrium? That he is constantly surrounded and protected by people that share similar delusions, and gosh darn it, that his problems might also manifest as sexual deviancy? Yes thank you, move on: There's enough pop-psychology out there for reference material and you're not really helping-just airing Jackson's subconscious demons. But that's exactly what Bashir doesn't do; instead he panders, and condescends in an annoying I-can-see-what-you-don't-Mr-Jacko-the-wacko way. That's not journalism, it's reporting. What would have been far more interesting is if Bashir didn't treat Jacko as some sort of man-child, a weird oddity to be probed and prodded, but used the interview time to understand the depths of one man's isolation and distortion of reality. Parents can leave their children for sleep overs in 'neverland'; doesn't that speak volumes about our current society, celeb status not withstanding. What about Michael's family? The father angle has pretty much been done to death, but the sibling moments haven't. Surely that would have satisfied Bashir's rabid tabloid fantasies while simultaneously exposing the underlying psycho-drama that must exist in the Jackson household. Instead we get Michael through the celebrity lens-bright and devoid of grit. I'm not asking Bashir to throw away his vapid, objective reporting to create a far more emotionally challenging (and personal) work-it's not his style. But the least he could do is allow for a far broader commentary on the subject matter (and I'm not talking about shots of ogling fans). As of now 'Living with Michael...' is caught in some sort of limbo between paparazzi snapshot and good old fashioned nuts and bolts journalism. Is it too much to ask that Bashir make up his mind?

Having been a fan of Michael Jackson all my life I, like many others were anticipating this program since it was announced. Martin Bashir who was known for his famous interview with Diana followed Michael Jackson around for 8 months. This documentary was the result.The last time that Michael had participated in such a detailed show was nearly 10 years ago with Oprah Winfrey. In this new one off special Michael tell's about his outrageous lifestyle and for the first time ever the world would get a glimpse of the Jackson children.One of the most shocking aspects of this documentary was Michael's relationship with a 12 year old cancer sufferer and his admitting to sharing his bed with other children. Since that and other certain other things were revealed (including why his 3 children dont live with there mothers) there hasnt been a day where the press werent digging into michael Jackson's life and making it a living hell. So what, he let's kid's sleep over?! It's the king of pop for crying out loud!Martin Bashir had deeply upset Jackson during the course of the interview but it still revealed the truth: That Michael Jackson is just a kid at heart.He's not pedophile and he isnt trying to be something he isnt. He's jut a gifted entertainer with a child's heart.I do believe that every effort was made to produce an honest portrayal of Michael, but it was some how sabotaged by the voice over's to make the public think of Michael as a negative aspect.