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Black Label Media
TriStar Pictures
Not part of a collection.
Celebrate the untold story of an icon.
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.
tmdb51616167
Sep 2, 2024 · via TMDB
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.
r96sk
Jan 10, 2023 · via TMDB
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 <em>'Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody'</em>. 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!
CinemaSerf
Dec 27, 2022 · via TMDB
I wonder why they added her name to the title? Might that be because the film makers knew that the "legacy" of this once celebrated singer has already largely wained? I can't think when I last heard one of her songs on the radio. Bigger then the "Beatles"? Well Naomi Ackie puts her heart and soul into this performance but do we ever see her tinkle on a piano, pick up a guitar, bang a tambourine even? Right from the start when she is discovered by established impresario (and one of this film's producers) Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) we learn that she doesn't write songs. So what is there for us to remember? This film proceeds to tell us a rather sad and shallow story of a woman born into musical royalty who seems to lurch from one bad decision to another - fuelled by a confused sexuality, booze, drugs and ambition - a toxic mix for anyone to deal with. This highly speculative narrative doesn't try to give any depth to any of the characters. It doesn't try to involve us in the stresses faced by this woman who had the world beneath her feet for a while, but for whom it was all too much - especially when she discovers that those closest to her are betraying and/or embezzling from her. It asks us to be sympathetic but gives us few insights into what made her tick. The brief and superficial scenes with her wayward husband Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders) are whirlwind in nature and so it's hardly surprising when he turns out to be wrong for her. The competent Tucci comes across as a benign, gentle, benefactor but again, there is little of substance to his role as he seems powerless to stop her descending into a maelstrom of despair and illness. The real story of this inspirational singer is full of twists, turns, successes and failures. Her emotional life was just about as turbulent as it is possible to get. Yet this film is sterile and procedural. I didn't feel involved, I didn't really feel that I cared for her very much. On the plus side, we are reminded on occasion of her brilliant original songs and astonishing vocal range (though Miss Ackie doesn't do the singing) and are reminded of just how good an entertainer she was, but I saw this on my own in a cinema and maybe that says quite a lot about the quality of this rather underwhelming and chronological biopic that could have been so much better had it focused more on the talents of this remarkable woman and less on the associated melodrama.
User reviews courtesy of TMDB.
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Naomi Ackie
Whitney Houston
Ashton Sanders
Bobby Brown
Stanley Tucci
Clive Davis
Nafessa Williams
Robyn Crawford
Lance A. Williams
Gerry Griffith
Tamara Tunie
Cissy Houston
Clarke Peters
John Houston
Daniel Washington
Gary Houston
JaQuan Malik Jones
Michael Houston
Kris Sidberry
Pat Houston
Tanner Beard
Günther
Jennifer Ellis
Lisa Hintelmann
Andrea Eversley
Barbara
Bria Danielle Singleton
Bobbi Kristina
Stew Replogle
Detective
Jon F. Merz
Captain / Pilot
Jaison Hunter
Jermaine Jackson
Whitney Houston
Self (archive footage)
Oprah Winfrey
Self (archive footage)
Merv Griffin
Self (archive footage)
Zyla Harris-Petter
'I'm Every Woman' Dancer (as Zyla Nia Harris-Peter)
Elegance Bratton
Spencer
David Offner
Art Direction
Markus Mentzer
Additional Photography
Barry Ackroyd
Director of Photography
Charlese Antoinette Jones
Costume Design
Anne Morgan
Hairstylist
Gary Archer
Prosthetics
Craig Lindberg
Special Effects Makeup Artist
Kasi Lemmons
Director
Michael Geoghegan
Rigging Grip
Polly Bennett
Associate Producer
Kim Taylor-Coleman
Casting
Brett Duffy
Casting Assistant
Kim Taylor-Coleman
Casting Director
Erika Hampson
Executive Producer
Kasi Lemmons
Executive Producer
Matthew Gallagher
Executive Producer
Naomi Ackie
Executive Producer
Stella Meghie
Executive Producer
Tanner Beard
Executive Producer
Anthony McCarten
Producer
Clive Davis
Producer
Jeff Kalligheri
Producer
Matt Jackson
Producer
Thad Luckinbill
Producer
Trent Luckinbill
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Erika Hampson
Unit Production Manager
Becky Bentham
Additional Music Supervisor
Andy Nelson
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
John Warhurst
Supervising Music Editor
Anthony McCarten
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Bicara Cinta
2020
The Pied Pipers of Harlow
1965
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Battle your watched movies head-to-head
Community Top Movies
Evil Dead II
1987 · 14 wins
The Dark Knight
2008 · 14 wins
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1978 · 13 wins
Final Destination
2000 · 12 wins
Halloween II
1981 · 11 wins
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