‘CrazySexyCool’ Review: VH1 Biopic Honors TLC’s Triumphs & Tragedies

Read Holliwood life review of ‘CrazySexyCool,’ then share yours!

Unlike most made-for-TV biopics — which are so fictionalized that the finished product bears almost no truth whatsoever — VH1′s CrazySexyCool had TLC‘s stamp all over it, allowing for an authentic re-telling of the iconic girl group’s history. And as we learned during this wild two-and-a-half-hour ride, the truth is always more interesting than fiction.

For younger viewers unfamiliar with TLC’s history, it was a compelling introduction to arguably the biggest girl group in music history; and for long-time fans of the former trio, it was a heartbreaking roller coaster, recalling incredible highs and devastating lows.

‘CrazySexyCool’ Tackles Tragedy With Care

One such low, the loss of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes (played on-screen by Lil Mama), was particularly gut-wrenching to relive. It was one thing for the cast to recreate a TLC music video, but it was another to accurately depict the indescribable pain suffered by the surviving members of the group — and CrazySexyCool did that beautifully.

Though all three leading ladies gave exceptional performances, the stand-out for me was Keke Palmer as Rozonda “Chilli” Thomas. As I watched her go through the process of having an abortion, feeling every bit of her pain and confusion, I could hardly believe this was the same girl I used to watch on Nickelodeon’s True Jackson, VP. She really left an impression on me.

‘CrazySexyCool’ Celebrates The Good Times

That said, this wasn’t simply a straight-faced walk through the trials and tribulations of TLC. CrazySexyCool also highlighted all that was beautiful and unforgettable about the group — from the ’90s-tastic fashion to the girl-power attitude to the music videos you couldn’t help but look on YouTube during the commercial breaks. (“Waterfalls,” in particular, was frighteningly spot-on.)

CrazySexyCool served as a reminder that there will only ever be one TLC. In a pre-YouTube, pre-American Idol world, they came up on their own terms — and their story is far from over.