Divine Madness!

Divine Madness! released in 1980, is an electrifying concert film spotlighting the undeniably talented Bette Midler, known as the Divine Miss M. Directed by Michael Ritchie, the film provides an unforgettable glimpse into the singer's Rosemary Clooney-like artistry and Janis Joplin-esque electricity, distinctively showing why Midler remains one of the most beloved entertainers to this day.

The film captures Midler's renowned live concert at Pasadena's Civic Auditorium in California, where she had initially made her famous mark in the 1970s. This offering brilliantly packages Midler's prowess as a versatile performer, showcasing the Grammy Award-winning artist at the peak of her career. It's a loud, proud and decadent demonstration of why Midler is regarded as one of the pioneers and queens of the stage.

Divine Madness! primarily features Midler's electrifying stage performance, where she displays her potent combination of charismatic charm, outrageous humor, flamboyant showmanship, and soul-shattering vocals. It's a movie that secures her status as an iconic performer and movie star.

The feather boas fly and the rhinestones twinkle as Midler delivers an energetic performance, showing off her ability to pluck your heartstrings at one moment and then have you bursting into laughter the next. Her performance includes a dazzling mix of rock, pop, and blues, which she infuses with her unique touches of theatricality and risqué humor.

Divine Madness! offers a variety of Midler's greatest hits, powerful ballads, and chat, taking the audience on a roller coaster ride that is as emotionally charged as it is uproarious. It serves as a tribute to Midler’s chameleonic ability to animate any song or theatrical persona, leading viewers through sequences that seamlessly drift from poignant to provocative, comedic to deeply emotional.

Bette Midler isn't alone, though, she's joined on stage by a strong ensemble. Primarily, she’s flanked by her staple backup singers, The Harlettes. Jocelyn Brown and Ula Hedwig, as integral parts of The Harlettes, show their vocal prowess as well, contributing to the overall delightful, musically rich spectacle.

Brown provides the film with her R&B and disco-infused vocals, while Hedwig delivers powerful harmonies that align seamlessly with Midler. Their awe-inspiring vocal prowess, combined with Midler's performance, creates an atmosphere of sultry soul, unabashed excitement, and irresistible charm.

Throughout the film, Midler displays her range not only vocally, but also dramatically. The concert is smartly interwoven with scripted bits, skits, and monologues, blending the lines between performance and narrative storytelling. The iconic singer engages in hilarious and heartfelt monologues, embodying different characters who provide both comic relief and a look into Midler's versatile acting capabilities.

Midler is a force to be reckoned with – a performer who effortlessly switches gears between comedy and tragedy, song and dialogue. Her bravura performance as mermaid Dolores Delago, the ‘toast of Chicago’, in 'The Wheelchair Follies' adds a great deal of fun to the concert experience. It is a testimony to Midler’s ability to invest any character with appeal and humor, furthering the audience’s appreciation of her multiple talents.

Though decidedly risqué, with innuendo and edgy humor aplenty, Divine Madness! is never less than entertaining thanks to Midler's infectious energy and endless charisma. She is a performer who talks to her audience as if they were old friends, sharing self-deprecating anecdotes that often take a hilarious turn.

In conclusion, Divine Madness! is a near-suffocating riot of character comedy, cabaret, and old-fashioned Hollywood razzle-dazzle. A testament to Bette Midler’s irresistible allure and a celebration of her unique ability to straddle the line between humor and heartbreak - it's Divine Madness, indeed! A must-see for any fan of Midler or the magic of live performance.