Respect (2021) is a movie we saw in theatres last weekend. The movie focuses on the upbringing of Aretha Franklin and the challenges of working with her father and some life experiences that haunted her for her entire life. It also shows challenges she had with her first husband who was abusive and often interfered with her business decisions. It concludes with her evolution as a artist, person and activist. This movie is directed by Liesl Tommy (episodes of Jessica Jones and The Walking Dead) and stars Jennifer Hudson (Dream Girls), Forest Whitaker (Last King of Scotland), Audra McDonald (Beauty and the Beast), Marlon Wayans (White Chicks) and Tituss Burgess (Dolemite is My Name). The storyline was very PG-13 and not detailed enough. The history of C. L. Franklin and those Saturday Night sex parties and how that likely led to events in this movie was glossed over. It also showed zero interactions with her children, the nature of her relationships with their father, who they thought the first father really was, etc. A lot of those inner demons and struggles led to her drinking issues and all of that is glossed over because the film lacked the depth of her past. There's an Aretha Franklin series with Cynthia Erivo that shares the deeper backstories. I'd recommend giving that a shot. This is worth watching, as Hudson is very good in executing what she was asked to deliver. She should be very proud of this performance. The cinematography, her attire and the settings are well done. I'm not sure I loved the casting of Marlon Wayans. Forest Whitaker was an okay C. L. Lewis; but again, he was toned down. Overall I think this is a PG-13 storyline that could have been delivered with more details and depth. It could have been a masterpiece. Instead they decided to jump over the details and get into her marriage and recording career. It took the air out of the ball and caused the film to fall flat. I'd score this a 6/10.
Review of Respect
