And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story (1999) Jay Underwood, Renee Faia, Jim Pirri, Laura Johnson, Christian Leffler Movie Review

And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story (1999)   3/53/53/53/53/5


Renee Faia as Cher in And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story (1999)

I've Got You Babe

Based on Sonny Bono's autobiographical book "And the Beat Goes On" the made for TV biopic "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story" takes us on a journey through the life of Sonny and Cher taking us back to a period before they met with Sonny trying to make it in the music industry. We see how they meet and how after initial success it leads to them playing Vegas before then having their own TV show. Whilst all this is going on we get to see their turbulent marriage, which eventually broke down and ended in divorce whilst they were still making the TV show with Cher going on to a successful solo career whilst Sonny ended up going in to politics.

I will lay my cards on the table and tell you that I don't remember when it was Sonny and Cher, of course I have heard of them and heard their music, who hasn't, but my earliest recollections of Cher was as a solo artist with a penchant for sexy outfits. As such I will be the first to say that I have no idea how much fact, fiction, tinkering with timeline goes on in "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story" or to be honest how accurate Jay Underwood's portrayal of Sonny Bono is.

Jay Underwood in And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story (1999)

But even with the lack of background knowledge "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story" is still an entertaining made for TV biopic which moves briskly through their career. As I said it takes us from before they met with Sonny trying to make it in the music industry right up to their marriage breaking down whilst they were making their popular TV show which mixed music with comedy and guest appearances. It is because it bubbles along at a nice pace with decent recreations of the past as well as great music that it works even for those who don't remember when it was Sonny and Cher.

But for me what makes "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story" is Renee Faia who is fantastic as Cher or Cherilyn Sarkisian LaPierre to give her full name. I might not remember Cher from back then but the way Renee looks, the sarcasm in her voice, the actual tone of voice, everything about Renee's performance feels right and at times you sort of forget this is an actress we are watching and think it is the real Cher.

What this all boils down to is that "And the Beat Goes On: The Sonny and Cher Story" is entertaining and works for those who don't know the ins and outs of Sonny and Cher but know of Cher as a solo artist. Whilst director David Burton Morris does a fantastic job of keeping it ticking over it is Renee Faia who makes the movie with her enjoyable portrayal of Cher.


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