Rod Colbin

Jessica Lange delivers the performance of her career as Frances Farmer, the notorious 1930s movie star whose impassioned opinions and outspoken behavior created scandal throughout the industry. But when she was betrayed by the studio system and committed to a mental asylum by her domineering mother, Frances descended into a madness that shocked the world.

There's no mistaking the grand voice, the outsized personality, the friendly, open face. Stepping outside his traditional operatic canon to star in his only feature film is renowned tenor Luciano Pavarotti. Not that the "King of the High Cs" steps too far outside with this breezy tale of romance. Nor would fans want things any other way. The role of an opera star touring the U.S. provides an ample showcase for Pavarotti's rich vocal artistry in works including Ave Maria, La Donna È Mobile, his signature Nessun Dorma, even I Left My Heart in San Francisco. Franklin J. Schaffner (Patton) directs, with locations including Italy, Boston, New York and the Napa Valley. Bravo, Giorgio! Bravissimo, Luciano!

Jessica Lange (nominated for the 1983 Best Actress Oscar) delivers the performance of her career as Frances Farmer, the notorious 1930s movie star whose impassioned opinions and outspoken behavior created scandal throughout the industry. When she was betrayed by the studio system and committed to an insane asylum by her domineering mother, Frances descended into a madness that exposed the cruelest consequences of Hollywood fame.

Jessica Lange stars in her Oscar-nominated performance of the true story of Frances Farmer's meteoric rise to fame in Hollywood and the tragic turn her life took when she was blacklisted.