We seldom see Gregory Hines in movies. That’s a loss to us all, as he is gifted both as a tap dancer and a spirited actor. Here he gives a forthright examination of a generous, talented, courageous and complex performer. While the made-for-TV film shows Bojangles overcoming bigotry, and doing countless benefits to help others, it also portrays him as self-centered and often insensitive. That’s a characteristic we all share, to some degree. But it’s not mankind’s finest portrait. And after viewing him in so many films as a gentle soul, I was a bit let down by seeing other, more converse sides of his character.

Unfortunately, the production is riddled with profane and obscene language and several sexual situations. If you want to enjoy his talent without observing this more personal side of the man, check out his work in films such as “The Little Colonel” and “The Littlest Rebel,” both starring Shirley Temple. He has a lead role in 1943’s “Stormy Weather.” While this film has a silly storyline, it does feature many legendary black artists, including Lena Horne, Fats Waller, the Nicholas Brothers, and Cab Callaway, doing what they do best.