226 reviews
I like a biopic as much as the next person. But when one creates a biopic, they have to show a different side to the person we know behind the celebrity, or something the average person doesn't really know up until this point.
This film ain't one of them.
The film takes up way too much of its runtime showing Whitney's iconic performances in their total. Which not many music biopics do and for good reason; we can just watch them elsewhere.
It also doesn't focus in too much on her personal life. The domestic and drug abuse between her and Bobbi was toned down, her relationship with Robyn, arguably the best moments in the film, are fleeting, and the film is way too nice to Clive Davis (not surprising since he executive produced the film) who was like her family, but also like her family, tried to mould her into something she was not.
It's clear that to this day, people still want to control Whitney's legacy. So as a result, the film cannot explore the complexities, flaws, turmoils and difficulties of this incredibly talented woman. Because there is no doubt, she was a one of a kind phenomenal singer.
But the film is not interested in going further into her inner emotional life - only scratching the surface and emphasising her talent.
I would suggest watching the Kevin MacDonald documentary, which focuses more on why Whitney ended her life the way she did and the clues to her inner turmoil, while also listing her contributions to the music world and the things she loved the most in life.
This film ain't one of them.
The film takes up way too much of its runtime showing Whitney's iconic performances in their total. Which not many music biopics do and for good reason; we can just watch them elsewhere.
It also doesn't focus in too much on her personal life. The domestic and drug abuse between her and Bobbi was toned down, her relationship with Robyn, arguably the best moments in the film, are fleeting, and the film is way too nice to Clive Davis (not surprising since he executive produced the film) who was like her family, but also like her family, tried to mould her into something she was not.
It's clear that to this day, people still want to control Whitney's legacy. So as a result, the film cannot explore the complexities, flaws, turmoils and difficulties of this incredibly talented woman. Because there is no doubt, she was a one of a kind phenomenal singer.
But the film is not interested in going further into her inner emotional life - only scratching the surface and emphasising her talent.
I would suggest watching the Kevin MacDonald documentary, which focuses more on why Whitney ended her life the way she did and the clues to her inner turmoil, while also listing her contributions to the music world and the things she loved the most in life.
- Avwillfan89
- Feb 6, 2023
- Permalink
If you can overlook the fact that she looks nothing like Whitney Houston, Naomi Ackie manages the impressive task of channeling the icon in a manner that feels both authentic and respectful. My problem with this overlong 2022 biopic is the Wikipedia-level approach that director Kasi Lemmons and screenwriter Anthony McCarten took in telling Houston's story with one familiar scene or performance moving to the next with little sense of dramatic transition. It comes as no surprise that McCarten wrote the similarly elliptical "Bohemian Rhapsody". Some moments (like the "How Will I Know?" video and the national anthem at the Super Bowl) were captured faithfully and with conviction by Ackie who lip-syncs to Houston quite effectively. Other moments felt like they belonged on Lifetime with honest revelations few and far between.
Can we please stop making all musical biopics the exact same movie? I'm so bored of the template. Instead of coming off as a celebration of Whitney Houston's life and career, I found "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" to be a hollow attempt at re-creating the success of "Bohemian Rhapsody". The strategy the filmmakers took on? Re-make "Bohemian Rhapsody" beat-for-beat with a Whitney Houston focus instead of Queen. This movie is painfully generic, it really disappointed me. And it's not even like the movie itself is bad, it is just that we've seen so many music biopics recently - and they all have the same story! Say what you will about "Elvis" but at least Baz Luhrmann tried to do something different with that one stylistically. Here, everything was bland, there was nothing to make this stand out from the crowd. The generic nature of this film would be fine if this was a better film, but unfortunately because this is so similar to other music biopics, it just comes off as repetitive and inferior in both performance and filmmaking.
Naomi Ackie is fine as Whitney, but she never really elevated the material off the page or made me believe she was Whitney. Instead I just saw her trying to be the next Rami Malek and Austin Butler, and personally I don't think she is quite on that level yet as an actor.
The movie also felt very shallow, it never went deep into exploring Whitney's life, instead just went from scene to scene checking off the boxes of major events in Whitney's life, carefully following the template of the music biopic. The script really was not anything special, and honestly I found it didn't work as a narrative at all. There was no conflict, no tension, nothing to keep me invested as an audience member. It is true to life, Whitney was indeed very talented and her talent was recognized from the start, but in a story you need your protagonist to go through some sort of struggle. I never felt Whitney ever hit any obstacles here, aside from minor relationship and substance-abuse struggles that it barely touched on. It literally just felt like the movie was going through the motions, complete with a finale that featured an iconic performance from Whitney.
I'm sorry, I know I am really ripping into this film, but I am just so disappointed that it did nothing to make itself stand out from the rest of music biopics. It felt like no one behind the camera was trying to make it special. Frankly, Whitney Houston deserves so much better.
I'm sure for most audience members, this will be enjoyable! It has an A cinemascope and a very high audience score on rotten tomatoes, so I am definitely in the minority. It is a very likeable movie, I just took major issues with how generic it was. I've seen this same movie countless times before, I'm just so bored with the format. The movie was good, just good, and I wanted it to be great. It should have been great. At least the music was...
Naomi Ackie is fine as Whitney, but she never really elevated the material off the page or made me believe she was Whitney. Instead I just saw her trying to be the next Rami Malek and Austin Butler, and personally I don't think she is quite on that level yet as an actor.
The movie also felt very shallow, it never went deep into exploring Whitney's life, instead just went from scene to scene checking off the boxes of major events in Whitney's life, carefully following the template of the music biopic. The script really was not anything special, and honestly I found it didn't work as a narrative at all. There was no conflict, no tension, nothing to keep me invested as an audience member. It is true to life, Whitney was indeed very talented and her talent was recognized from the start, but in a story you need your protagonist to go through some sort of struggle. I never felt Whitney ever hit any obstacles here, aside from minor relationship and substance-abuse struggles that it barely touched on. It literally just felt like the movie was going through the motions, complete with a finale that featured an iconic performance from Whitney.
I'm sorry, I know I am really ripping into this film, but I am just so disappointed that it did nothing to make itself stand out from the rest of music biopics. It felt like no one behind the camera was trying to make it special. Frankly, Whitney Houston deserves so much better.
I'm sure for most audience members, this will be enjoyable! It has an A cinemascope and a very high audience score on rotten tomatoes, so I am definitely in the minority. It is a very likeable movie, I just took major issues with how generic it was. I've seen this same movie countless times before, I'm just so bored with the format. The movie was good, just good, and I wanted it to be great. It should have been great. At least the music was...
This is definitely a must watch for fans. Filled with nostalgia and emotions. I teared up throughout the movie. They used Whitney's voice for the singing scenes which got me So Emotional. Pun intended!
While it's obvious she doesn't look like Whitney, Naomi did an amazing job. She nailed Whitney's mannerisms and body language. The actor playing Clive Davis was spot on as well. What made the movie come to life were the styling, outfits, makeup, and hair. The music video sets were all spot on. All the staff who worked on them deserve awards.
I've seen the biopics, documentaries, and interviews. I've read the books written by Cissy, Bobby, Narada, and Robyn. Some of the information presented in the movie seemed inaccurate and were purposely left out (ex: no mention of Eddie Murphy). For instance, it's publicly known that it was Kevin Costner and not Clive who asked Whitney to sing "I Will Always Love You".
I was disappointed by the portrayals of John Houston and Robyn Crawford. The movie portrayed John as an aggressive father who only cares about making and spending money off of her daughter. There's some truth to this. But according to Robyn's book, John was gentle and genuinely cared about Whitney's well-being. The movie only painted John as the greedy one. But real fans know John wasn't the only one.
As for Robyn, the movie portrayed her as someone totally opposite of who she really is. Real fans know that Robyn is soft-spoken, calm, and someone who genuinely cared about Whitney.
I was not happy they portrayed Whitney aloof ignoring fans when fans asked her for an autograph/photograph. I'm not saying that hasn't happened before. But there have been countless times on camera showing that she was happy to meet fans.
There was no mention of Whitney's personal assistant and close confidant, Sylvia. At the very least they could've had an extra with no lines putting a towel over Whitney (which Sylvia did during the world tours).
There was little mention of things that really mattered to Whitney such as her faith, the community, and causes. I wish they focused on that more.
Don't expect the movie to reveal things that aren't already known to the public. The movie doesn't go deep into details.
Critics say there should've been more focus on her struggles and what's not known. I disagree because the world already knows too much. She did not like her personal life being all out there. Most of all, she wanted to be remembered for her music. The movie respected that by presenting what's already known (all the ups and the downs), and by raising her legacy and achievements which were once heavily overshadowed by her struggles.
While it's obvious she doesn't look like Whitney, Naomi did an amazing job. She nailed Whitney's mannerisms and body language. The actor playing Clive Davis was spot on as well. What made the movie come to life were the styling, outfits, makeup, and hair. The music video sets were all spot on. All the staff who worked on them deserve awards.
I've seen the biopics, documentaries, and interviews. I've read the books written by Cissy, Bobby, Narada, and Robyn. Some of the information presented in the movie seemed inaccurate and were purposely left out (ex: no mention of Eddie Murphy). For instance, it's publicly known that it was Kevin Costner and not Clive who asked Whitney to sing "I Will Always Love You".
I was disappointed by the portrayals of John Houston and Robyn Crawford. The movie portrayed John as an aggressive father who only cares about making and spending money off of her daughter. There's some truth to this. But according to Robyn's book, John was gentle and genuinely cared about Whitney's well-being. The movie only painted John as the greedy one. But real fans know John wasn't the only one.
As for Robyn, the movie portrayed her as someone totally opposite of who she really is. Real fans know that Robyn is soft-spoken, calm, and someone who genuinely cared about Whitney.
I was not happy they portrayed Whitney aloof ignoring fans when fans asked her for an autograph/photograph. I'm not saying that hasn't happened before. But there have been countless times on camera showing that she was happy to meet fans.
There was no mention of Whitney's personal assistant and close confidant, Sylvia. At the very least they could've had an extra with no lines putting a towel over Whitney (which Sylvia did during the world tours).
There was little mention of things that really mattered to Whitney such as her faith, the community, and causes. I wish they focused on that more.
Don't expect the movie to reveal things that aren't already known to the public. The movie doesn't go deep into details.
Critics say there should've been more focus on her struggles and what's not known. I disagree because the world already knows too much. She did not like her personal life being all out there. Most of all, she wanted to be remembered for her music. The movie respected that by presenting what's already known (all the ups and the downs), and by raising her legacy and achievements which were once heavily overshadowed by her struggles.
- annieg-31257
- Dec 22, 2022
- Permalink
I Wanna Dance With Somebody is a bit hit and miss for me.
The big hit is Naomi Ackie's performance. I was completely transported and absorbed by her portrayal of Whitney, and thought she handled the role perfectly. Obviously the music was always going to be great so that's another real point in this film's favour.
The miss for me comes in the form of the structure and storytelling. There is always a balance to strike in a musical biopic between how much you focus on the music and how much you focus on the person. For me this film got this balance wrong and spent too long showing full performances of Whitney and showing off her voice. We know she had an incredible voice, and as great as it is to hear it over and over, I would have liked to dig down into the woman herself even more.
When we dig down into her personal life, her relationship with Bobby Brown, her relationship with her mother and father, her treatment by the press and her drug issues, everything felt very surface level. Particularly the latter two.
I appreciate that the film perhaps didn't want to tread too heavily down these dark avenues which is entirely reasonable, but it does mean the film lacks punch at times. As a result the highs are never particularly high and the lows are never too low which diminishes the impact of the film.
I did also think that the film was a tad too long and could have been trimmed by 10 minutes at least.
Considering there are so many musical biopics these days I can't help but compare this film to others that have hit the screens in recent years such as Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and this is easily lagging behind in this pack. Still, it boasts a terrific performance from Ackie, a great soundtrack, and several powerful moments. However as a whole the film does feel rather muted.
The big hit is Naomi Ackie's performance. I was completely transported and absorbed by her portrayal of Whitney, and thought she handled the role perfectly. Obviously the music was always going to be great so that's another real point in this film's favour.
The miss for me comes in the form of the structure and storytelling. There is always a balance to strike in a musical biopic between how much you focus on the music and how much you focus on the person. For me this film got this balance wrong and spent too long showing full performances of Whitney and showing off her voice. We know she had an incredible voice, and as great as it is to hear it over and over, I would have liked to dig down into the woman herself even more.
When we dig down into her personal life, her relationship with Bobby Brown, her relationship with her mother and father, her treatment by the press and her drug issues, everything felt very surface level. Particularly the latter two.
I appreciate that the film perhaps didn't want to tread too heavily down these dark avenues which is entirely reasonable, but it does mean the film lacks punch at times. As a result the highs are never particularly high and the lows are never too low which diminishes the impact of the film.
I did also think that the film was a tad too long and could have been trimmed by 10 minutes at least.
Considering there are so many musical biopics these days I can't help but compare this film to others that have hit the screens in recent years such as Elvis, Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, and this is easily lagging behind in this pack. Still, it boasts a terrific performance from Ackie, a great soundtrack, and several powerful moments. However as a whole the film does feel rather muted.
- ethanbresnett
- Jan 10, 2023
- Permalink
Let's start with the most important fact: Naomi Ackie kills it as Whitney Houston in "I Wanna Dance with Somebody." When her casting was announced, some were put off by their lack of close physical resemblance. No matter: Ackie handily disappears into the role. She is particularly expert in capturing the cadence of Whitney's speech, conveying her fiercely independent personality in all its charisma and occasional prickliness.
This is a movie that puts Whitney's career front and center, with a special emphasis on her relationship with Arista records founder Clive Davis. Stanley Tucci makes for an impressively spot-on Davis, although perhaps his portrayal is a bit too reverent. The scene where he confronted her over her spiraling drug addiction was tough to watch. I appreciated the lack of cheap psychological gimmicks to explain away her troubles.
Whitney's important, long-lasting lesbian relationship with creative director Robyn Crawford is finally given its fair shake here. Crawford is a deeply fascinating figure in her own right, and their scenes together pop. Apparently, Crawford has written a book on her experiences and I'm very curious to check it out.
The musical highlight is the near superhuman medley of "I Loves You Porgy", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Have Nothing" from the 1994 American Music Awards. Whitney's original voice is thankfully used for the singing parts, as if any other choice was possible for the greatest vocalist of the 20th century!
Music biopics do seem to bring out a special kind of snobbery and faux-cleverness from critics at times. Were you really not expecting to see Whitney singing in church or signing her first record deal? These are the facts of her life! They are told beautifully and compellingly here.
This is a movie that puts Whitney's career front and center, with a special emphasis on her relationship with Arista records founder Clive Davis. Stanley Tucci makes for an impressively spot-on Davis, although perhaps his portrayal is a bit too reverent. The scene where he confronted her over her spiraling drug addiction was tough to watch. I appreciated the lack of cheap psychological gimmicks to explain away her troubles.
Whitney's important, long-lasting lesbian relationship with creative director Robyn Crawford is finally given its fair shake here. Crawford is a deeply fascinating figure in her own right, and their scenes together pop. Apparently, Crawford has written a book on her experiences and I'm very curious to check it out.
The musical highlight is the near superhuman medley of "I Loves You Porgy", "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" and "I Have Nothing" from the 1994 American Music Awards. Whitney's original voice is thankfully used for the singing parts, as if any other choice was possible for the greatest vocalist of the 20th century!
Music biopics do seem to bring out a special kind of snobbery and faux-cleverness from critics at times. Were you really not expecting to see Whitney singing in church or signing her first record deal? These are the facts of her life! They are told beautifully and compellingly here.
- tchelitchew
- Dec 28, 2022
- Permalink
- KatieDuncan44
- Jan 1, 2023
- Permalink
Whitney Houston was truly the voice of her generation and one of the greatest voices of all time. I have been a fan of Whitney Houston my whole life. It is always hard to do a biopic and sum up someone's life in a single film. But the film does justice to Whitney's life and career. Naomi Ackie is the embodiment of Whitney and gives a great performance. No one could ever replicate Whitney's voice but Naomi certainly looks the part. She deserved an Oscar nod, it is shocking she did not get nominated.
The film did not shy away from the struggles Whitney faced in her life. Drugs were always in the picture, it is for a number of celebrities. But Whitney sadly got involved with very bad company. Bobby Brown spelt the downfall of this hugely talented songbird. If only she stayed away from that talentless waste of space she might have been alive and going strong. It is absolutely tragic to see the fate Whitney suffered. Like so many celebrities before her she became a prisoner of her own fame and indulged in substances that were too easy to obtain.
This film is underrated and deserves more credit. Overall a decent film and homage to this beautiful legend (Nippy) who has left us with timeless music that is in a league of its own.
The film did not shy away from the struggles Whitney faced in her life. Drugs were always in the picture, it is for a number of celebrities. But Whitney sadly got involved with very bad company. Bobby Brown spelt the downfall of this hugely talented songbird. If only she stayed away from that talentless waste of space she might have been alive and going strong. It is absolutely tragic to see the fate Whitney suffered. Like so many celebrities before her she became a prisoner of her own fame and indulged in substances that were too easy to obtain.
This film is underrated and deserves more credit. Overall a decent film and homage to this beautiful legend (Nippy) who has left us with timeless music that is in a league of its own.
I loved this movie. I actually didn't know a bulk of things going on behind the scenes of her life, so it was very eye-opening to me and heartbreaking. You could see almost from the very beginning, unfortunately, how things and people in her life would build up until she was torn down.
For everyone that keeps quipping about the actress not looking like her - please stop and watch it again. This actress studied ALL of Whitney's body movements, facial expressions and actions. There were a few times in the movie that she came pretty damn close to looking just like her. And she was brilliant.
I hope all the Whitney fans and those who grew up with her music and life will see it. It's a very enjoyable movie.
For everyone that keeps quipping about the actress not looking like her - please stop and watch it again. This actress studied ALL of Whitney's body movements, facial expressions and actions. There were a few times in the movie that she came pretty damn close to looking just like her. And she was brilliant.
I hope all the Whitney fans and those who grew up with her music and life will see it. It's a very enjoyable movie.
- writetonight-1
- Dec 31, 2022
- Permalink
I was astonished at the simplicity and pure lack of creativity and imagination with this made for TV movie. It literally goes from A to B, copying and pasting all the way. Nothing unique to see here.
All good bio pics don't dare tell the whole story. It is just too difficult to make something great when you have so much to say. So they find the magic within. That micro story. And they make magic out of that. This film couldn't be bothered with that. So just painted by numbers, doing a very formulaic blah blah of nothingness.
Whitney was an amazing artist. One who deserved only the best. But all she got was a low rated TV Movie. A really tragic story.
That said, the actress did act. She was very good. I just wish they had done the right thing and given her someone who could have found her true magic with an intelligent story and more creative direction.
All good bio pics don't dare tell the whole story. It is just too difficult to make something great when you have so much to say. So they find the magic within. That micro story. And they make magic out of that. This film couldn't be bothered with that. So just painted by numbers, doing a very formulaic blah blah of nothingness.
Whitney was an amazing artist. One who deserved only the best. But all she got was a low rated TV Movie. A really tragic story.
That said, the actress did act. She was very good. I just wish they had done the right thing and given her someone who could have found her true magic with an intelligent story and more creative direction.
- tm-sheehan
- Dec 28, 2022
- Permalink
- ericgoldberg-50159
- Dec 29, 2022
- Permalink
This movie left me disappointed. It didn't catch my heart.
It's just a loose concatenation of tinges of episodes in her life that hardly brings any true emotional moment to life.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody lacks story-telling and continuity to the most.
There's not a single episode in the movie that's handled with longer than a minute or two. Many people suddenly appearing are not getting introduced. Many times you wonder: "Who is this new other person she's now talking to all of a sudden?" or "What has happened causing this scene? Did I miss something?"
Just a few examples (nothing to spoil about):
° Whitney signs her first contract. Cut. She listens to a number of tapes at her producers', selects one of the songs, convincingly claiming: "I'll add a hook to it". Cut. (And that's all. We don't get to see how she actually does "add a hook" to the song.) Next scene: We get to see a 1:1 copy of the music video.
So, we never see her working creatively in the studio. She never performs any musical effort in the movie.
° Whitney's producer is showing her the Bodyguard script. Cut. She sits in a beedroom scene, getting her hair done, walks to the window and breaks down. Cut. She's lying in a hospital, crying. Her husband's telling her that they will be giving birth to another child. Cut.
You wonder: Huh?!? They actually had been expecting a child? When did that happen?
° Whitney is sent to the rehab. Cut. We see her swimming with her daughter in a swimming pool, being remotely observed. Cut. End of story.
You wonder: So, that's how detox therapy actually works?? You just swim two lanes and that's it?
The only thing that is been depicted in full length are some of her live gigs. But when these are depicted, the camera is so close to her, it's almost in front of her nose.
Which brings me to the next bad part in the movie:
I understand it's hard to mimic a life performance that's been originally recorded in hi-res and been seen hundred times before. However, when the camera is so close to the singer's face, then - please - take better care of lip-syncing! - You should have done better! A cut takes usually 5 - 10 seconds. It shouldn't be too much of a demand to expect that Naomi Ackie practices the singing sequences again and again, until she fully got them. And only after that, they should have shot the scene again and again, until it fits! Plus, Naomi forgot to mimic Whitney's classic tongue vibrato. Naomi's tongue was stiff as a whale when we heard Whitney singing a vibrato.
Another thing:
While we've been listening to Whitney's original voice recordings, the instruments have been re-recorded to be rather dull and in the background. So many times you can see musicians who are playing an instrument that's actually not to hear in the mix.
So, as I stated in the beginning of my review, this wasn't a well-done movie. In contrast to Bohemian Rhapsody it didn't convey any emotion. It was just a loose, boring concatenation of scenes.
It's just a loose concatenation of tinges of episodes in her life that hardly brings any true emotional moment to life.
I Wanna Dance With Somebody lacks story-telling and continuity to the most.
There's not a single episode in the movie that's handled with longer than a minute or two. Many people suddenly appearing are not getting introduced. Many times you wonder: "Who is this new other person she's now talking to all of a sudden?" or "What has happened causing this scene? Did I miss something?"
Just a few examples (nothing to spoil about):
° Whitney signs her first contract. Cut. She listens to a number of tapes at her producers', selects one of the songs, convincingly claiming: "I'll add a hook to it". Cut. (And that's all. We don't get to see how she actually does "add a hook" to the song.) Next scene: We get to see a 1:1 copy of the music video.
So, we never see her working creatively in the studio. She never performs any musical effort in the movie.
° Whitney's producer is showing her the Bodyguard script. Cut. She sits in a beedroom scene, getting her hair done, walks to the window and breaks down. Cut. She's lying in a hospital, crying. Her husband's telling her that they will be giving birth to another child. Cut.
You wonder: Huh?!? They actually had been expecting a child? When did that happen?
° Whitney is sent to the rehab. Cut. We see her swimming with her daughter in a swimming pool, being remotely observed. Cut. End of story.
You wonder: So, that's how detox therapy actually works?? You just swim two lanes and that's it?
The only thing that is been depicted in full length are some of her live gigs. But when these are depicted, the camera is so close to her, it's almost in front of her nose.
Which brings me to the next bad part in the movie:
I understand it's hard to mimic a life performance that's been originally recorded in hi-res and been seen hundred times before. However, when the camera is so close to the singer's face, then - please - take better care of lip-syncing! - You should have done better! A cut takes usually 5 - 10 seconds. It shouldn't be too much of a demand to expect that Naomi Ackie practices the singing sequences again and again, until she fully got them. And only after that, they should have shot the scene again and again, until it fits! Plus, Naomi forgot to mimic Whitney's classic tongue vibrato. Naomi's tongue was stiff as a whale when we heard Whitney singing a vibrato.
Another thing:
While we've been listening to Whitney's original voice recordings, the instruments have been re-recorded to be rather dull and in the background. So many times you can see musicians who are playing an instrument that's actually not to hear in the mix.
So, as I stated in the beginning of my review, this wasn't a well-done movie. In contrast to Bohemian Rhapsody it didn't convey any emotion. It was just a loose, boring concatenation of scenes.
- WinstonNoCGI
- Dec 23, 2022
- Permalink
"I will always love you."
No matter that the bio of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is riddled with pop-singer-tragic-bout with drugs, leading to her death because she remains the highest grossing singer of all time, not bad when you consider she keeps the fame fellowship with Barbra, Aretha, and Judy.
From Gospel to R & B, the Jersey-girl Whitney gradually becomes known as "The Voice." Therein lies a potential rub in the picture as the glamorous Naomi Ackie, an acceptable singer but apparently qualified to lip-synch only to Houston's transcendent voice. Knowing this before I entered the theater, I was won over within minutes: Ackie's lip-synching is flawless, the best I have ever seen. Houston's cool modulation and momentous key changes are here in reality.
I fretted not, for I accepted Ackie as Whitney, looks and voice, in a stunning interpretation of the pop princess turned queen. In a veritable flash of a moment after being discovered at Sweetwater's, she is shepherded by the estimable Arista Records president Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci in his most urbane role ever) through her career, respectful as he was about what she liked to sing, and uncanny in offering her songs that catapulted her to fame.
When Davis introduces her on The Merv Griffin Show, she stops hearts with "Home" from The Wiz and allows director Kasi Lemmons to set up the operative heart-breaking motif of her longing for a home life that Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders-remember him from Moonlight?) will never give her.
Whitney's character arc is well known from "America's Sweetheart" (an appellation she hated) to drug-addled has-been, not unlike Winehouse and Spears. (Her unconventional love with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams) brought her misery as well). Because so many singers, male and female, fell under the sway of narcotics, it's possible this biopic has been undersubscribed because of the almost cliched story line.
In addition, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody downplays the abusive role Bobby Brown, probably because of his attorneys threatening lawsuits. Although I am uncomfortable with graphic violence on the screen, some of it would have given an authentic edge to her troubled story. As would have scenes depicting her actual encounter with drugs.
This Whitney biopic may soften the effects of her addictions, but it never fails in featuring and interpreting the music that brought wealth and fame. Kudos to Naomi. Not so to the drug overdose that led to her drowning.
Take heart, this story lingers frequently on full songs in her real voice. It can't get better than that.
No matter that the bio of Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody is riddled with pop-singer-tragic-bout with drugs, leading to her death because she remains the highest grossing singer of all time, not bad when you consider she keeps the fame fellowship with Barbra, Aretha, and Judy.
From Gospel to R & B, the Jersey-girl Whitney gradually becomes known as "The Voice." Therein lies a potential rub in the picture as the glamorous Naomi Ackie, an acceptable singer but apparently qualified to lip-synch only to Houston's transcendent voice. Knowing this before I entered the theater, I was won over within minutes: Ackie's lip-synching is flawless, the best I have ever seen. Houston's cool modulation and momentous key changes are here in reality.
I fretted not, for I accepted Ackie as Whitney, looks and voice, in a stunning interpretation of the pop princess turned queen. In a veritable flash of a moment after being discovered at Sweetwater's, she is shepherded by the estimable Arista Records president Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci in his most urbane role ever) through her career, respectful as he was about what she liked to sing, and uncanny in offering her songs that catapulted her to fame.
When Davis introduces her on The Merv Griffin Show, she stops hearts with "Home" from The Wiz and allows director Kasi Lemmons to set up the operative heart-breaking motif of her longing for a home life that Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders-remember him from Moonlight?) will never give her.
Whitney's character arc is well known from "America's Sweetheart" (an appellation she hated) to drug-addled has-been, not unlike Winehouse and Spears. (Her unconventional love with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams) brought her misery as well). Because so many singers, male and female, fell under the sway of narcotics, it's possible this biopic has been undersubscribed because of the almost cliched story line.
In addition, Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody downplays the abusive role Bobby Brown, probably because of his attorneys threatening lawsuits. Although I am uncomfortable with graphic violence on the screen, some of it would have given an authentic edge to her troubled story. As would have scenes depicting her actual encounter with drugs.
This Whitney biopic may soften the effects of her addictions, but it never fails in featuring and interpreting the music that brought wealth and fame. Kudos to Naomi. Not so to the drug overdose that led to her drowning.
Take heart, this story lingers frequently on full songs in her real voice. It can't get better than that.
- JohnDeSando
- Dec 29, 2022
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- Mers_Mers_Mers
- Jan 5, 2023
- Permalink
The movie was insightful as there were definitely a few elements of Whitney Houston that I didn't know about. I had no idea she was bisexual. Stanley Tucci was great just as he always is but that's pretty much where the good things to say end for me.
They picked the worst actress ever to portray the beautiful charismatic Whitney Houston. Whitney was one of the most beautiful women to ever live and this woman they chose to play her....well to keep it nice....she is no Whitney.
Too much of this movie was about her bisexual relationship (I'm assuming to cater to this new world where they want to shove this down our throat every chance they get). The highlight years of her career felt rushed. Those years are what made her a star and this movie treated that time like an aside.
Why does Hollywood think everyone wants a lecture on LGBQT+ in every single movie or show heck even commercials these days?
They picked the worst actress ever to portray the beautiful charismatic Whitney Houston. Whitney was one of the most beautiful women to ever live and this woman they chose to play her....well to keep it nice....she is no Whitney.
Too much of this movie was about her bisexual relationship (I'm assuming to cater to this new world where they want to shove this down our throat every chance they get). The highlight years of her career felt rushed. Those years are what made her a star and this movie treated that time like an aside.
Why does Hollywood think everyone wants a lecture on LGBQT+ in every single movie or show heck even commercials these days?
- jeremym555
- Mar 20, 2023
- Permalink
- toasterinthebath
- Jan 6, 2023
- Permalink
For those of us who grew up listening to Whitney Houston as her story was splashed across the news and into our lives as it happened, there is nothing new here. We would have been better served if the filmmakers just did a documentary with the real Whitney Houston spliced into it here and there, as I didn't find the actress believable in the role. She may have studied her mannerisms etc. But it didn't work. Whitney was a very good looking woman, who could sing, she had style (or her stylist had) but she carried it off. Usually with Biopics you forget that its an actor playing a part but this didn't happen and it was distracting. Save yourself the time and just watch the real Whitney in a few videos on YouTube.
- brenster-26348
- Aug 7, 2023
- Permalink
As an Avid fan of Whitney Houston I waited for this project for 2 years and boy they did not disappoint.
As usual, like most others I was skeptical about how they were going to pull off such popular moments which we've already seen a million times on YouTube and television, but they did this so seamlessly that it really does transform into quite a cinematic experience.
And Naomi Ackie - what can I say about her? Despite all our initial skepticism, for her not looking exactly like a replica of Houston, she has managed to embody the late legend so well, that in certain music scenes it seems as if they're used the actual footage.
You forget you're watching someone act it out. Naomi is THAT good.
I would definitely rank this film much higher than the Elvis biopic that came out this year.
As usual, like most others I was skeptical about how they were going to pull off such popular moments which we've already seen a million times on YouTube and television, but they did this so seamlessly that it really does transform into quite a cinematic experience.
And Naomi Ackie - what can I say about her? Despite all our initial skepticism, for her not looking exactly like a replica of Houston, she has managed to embody the late legend so well, that in certain music scenes it seems as if they're used the actual footage.
You forget you're watching someone act it out. Naomi is THAT good.
I would definitely rank this film much higher than the Elvis biopic that came out this year.
- karansolves
- Dec 20, 2022
- Permalink
This movie was good, entertaining, made me cry at the end. However the movie was missing Nick Gordon who was a huge part of Whitney's life aka her adopted son and her last boyfriend r&b singer Ray J who was with her in the final days in February 2012 in Hollywood. I would love to see more details in this movie more so then her being a lesbian. Which Whitney never came out the closet so we don't know this to be true or not. It's only he said she said rumors. I feel Whitney would be disappointed in this film on so many levels. The actress who played her did a good job but didn't really look much like her.
- icecreamth
- Dec 27, 2022
- Permalink
If Whitney was in fact this big voice, "The Voice", then she really does not deserve this shallow and boring representation of her life. I bet there are details, which could've been expressed way more movie-like fashion. Seriously, family fights, alcohol, drug abuse, and the movie became this flat? A high school storyteller could've done better. Cmon. There are already good movies on Lady Gaga and Queen, feels like they got on the money train and wanted to put this out, grab some cash and fade away. A tell you what, this will definitely fade away in the movie history. A very long YouTube music video I would quit in the middle.
- andrasrapli
- Jan 9, 2023
- Permalink
I am a person who studied Whitney like she was one of my research papers. Although I never saw her in concert live, I supported every televised event with VCR recordings, DVDs & eventually digital compilations after her death.
So, I went into this movie with a bit of uncertainty, skepticism and some hopelessness that her story couldn't be told properly. However, I left this movie with a feeling that someone got it extremely right.
Despite previews that were overanalyzed, this movie took many correct turns. Without any spoilers, there were likely only a couple of light misses, but the hits were over the top done correctly.
I appreciate the attention to detail. I appreciate the lack of mockery! I appreciate the uplifting of Whitney! I love this movie and it will be in my collection.
So, I went into this movie with a bit of uncertainty, skepticism and some hopelessness that her story couldn't be told properly. However, I left this movie with a feeling that someone got it extremely right.
Despite previews that were overanalyzed, this movie took many correct turns. Without any spoilers, there were likely only a couple of light misses, but the hits were over the top done correctly.
I appreciate the attention to detail. I appreciate the lack of mockery! I appreciate the uplifting of Whitney! I love this movie and it will be in my collection.
- romeovision2002
- Dec 26, 2022
- Permalink
The movie is 100% a Lifetime movie. Nothing else. Wigs are cheap. Costume are boring. Wikipedia page come to life. Actually, even Wikipedia has more details on the actual events. The movie is a multitude of 3 minutes scenes.
There's a huge focus on her relation with Robyn which didn't need to be there. It feels like we are giving intentions to a relationship that never were actually confirmed or talked about by Whitney.
Bobbie's character is one note. A caricature of the man. His costumes are the worst.
Too long. Nothing sticks. Never interested enough to be captivated and into the flow.
Whitney deserved a way better movie.
There's a huge focus on her relation with Robyn which didn't need to be there. It feels like we are giving intentions to a relationship that never were actually confirmed or talked about by Whitney.
Bobbie's character is one note. A caricature of the man. His costumes are the worst.
Too long. Nothing sticks. Never interested enough to be captivated and into the flow.
Whitney deserved a way better movie.
- bobby-ducharme
- May 18, 2023
- Permalink