When it comes to biopics, I appreciate the one's that focus on the particular part of a subject's life that best conveys why they're significant. Such depictions can still convey a lot about a notable person for the audience to walk away with.
When movies depict someone's entire life, though it can be just as informative, it also runs the risk of clouding the reason why they have a biopic about them in the first place.
This movie focuses on Houston's career from beginning to end.
While I know very little about Houston, outside of recognizing some of her songs, and having seen her in the film "The Bodyguard" with Kevin Costner, I learned a few things about the singer just by watching this flick.
For instance, I didn't know that she was bisexual. But as the film is really centered on her rise to fame, I don't find that detail all that interesting as it's a secondary detail. I also didn't know about her tumultuous relationship with her father. I mean, not that I cared to know about it. It's just there. Those personal details are telling, but the focus of the entire film is her rise to the level of success she achieved. That's what I find most interesting - how a person can rise to such a level that they become a household name and make an impact in a particular field or industry.
Houston, nicknamed "The Voice," is among the bestselling musical artists of all time. She sold over 200 million records worldwide. And she's ranked at number two on Rolling Stone's 2023 list of all-time greatest singers following Aretha Franklin.
Naomi Ackie does a great job in the lead role as Houston. Her performance is sharp as she portrays the singer's personality and demeanor which changes from soft and humble-like to torn and broken as her rise to world- renowned celebrity singer grows.
Naomi Ackie does a great job in the lead role as Houston. Her performance is sharp as she portrays the singer's personality and demeanor which changes from soft and humble-like to torn and broken as her rise to world- renowned celebrity singer grows.
The film showcases how extremely talented she was, and how she had a voice of gold.
However, it's just a showcase of her rise to fame and nothing more. It shows one event during her career after another. It doesn't get too personal outside of her romantic relationship with her friend and former lover Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams), her ups and downs with her former husband Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders), the support she had from her producer Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci), and the relationship she had with her parents.
She had an amazing talent which made her famous and that certainly affected those around her in different ways. That's the extent of the film.
Outside of that, there's nothing much to take away about the life of Houston.
Aside from the acting, the singing is amazing and entertaining. Otherwise, the film breezes through her career. This happened, and then that happened, and after that, this other thing happened. The end.
It feels, overall, like a quick story. As safe and thoughtless a comment as it is, my only thought at the end of the movie was "well, that was interesting." It's the same thought I would have if I had watched a 40-minute T.V. biography on Whitney Houston.
"My Thoughts Real Quick"
I tend to put in more effort on my site 1000daysofhorror.com while this blog gets much less traffic. In an attempt to remedy that, and write more posts especially on new releases, I plan to jot down my thoughts rather than write up lengthy reviews.
Oh, there will still be lengthy reviews on older films. But for newer releases, they'll be quick.
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