The joyous, emotional, heartbreaking celebration of the life and music of Whitney Houston, the greatest female R&B pop vocalist of all time. Tracking her journey from obscurity to musical superstardom.
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Reviews
r96sk
8
By r96sk
A well done flick, I'd say.
I didn't even know this existed until I was invited a week or two back to go watch it, which is a surprise as I'd imagine a Whitney Houston biopic would've got enough hype that I would've seen it mentioned around the web - perhaps I just happened to miss it? Either way, I'd very much recommend 'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody'.
I'm no Houston brainiac but of course knew of her top songs and unfortunate personal issues, I feel like the film does a commendable job at covering all aspects - the pacing is top notch, in my opinion. I'd imagine it takes liberties with the truth, as per for this genre, here and there, but that doesn't bother me much if so.
Naomi Ackie is terrific in the lead role, quite the first performance of her's to watch on my part. I hope to see more! The rest of the cast, from Stanley Tucci to Ashton Sanders to Tamara Tunie to Nafessa Williams to Clarke Peters, particularly the latter, are also very good throughout.
I found the run time to be spot on, while the music is - as you'd expect - excellent. Houston sure did make a tonne of hits!
tmdb51616167
5
By tmdb51616167
The Whitney Houston movie is a production that often goes underappreciated, with its box office performance potentially suffering due to being better suited for streaming rather than a traditional theatrical release. The film focuses more on Houston's personal life, particularly her relationship with Bobby Brown and struggles with drug use, rather than showcasing her musical talents. It lacks the emphasis on her music that fans may have expected, opting for a different narrative approach.
While the movie may not have resonated with audiences as strongly as anticipated, it did serve as a reminder of Whitney Houston's exceptional talent as a singer. The lead actress's portrayal of Houston, while not widely recognized, did not detract from the film's overall impact. However, the casting choice for the role may have played a role in the film's perceived shortcomings and failure to generate significant buzz.
Despite its flaws, the movie did manage to spark interest in Whitney Houston's music, prompting viewers to rediscover her timeless songs. While the film may not have reached the heights of success it aimed for, it still served as a tribute to Houston's legacy and musical contributions.
