I do love a music biopic. So I was very keen to see the new Whitney Houston film 'I wanna Dance with Somebody'.
The perfect film for betwixt Xmas and New Year, on a rainy Friday afternoon. It seems a lot of others had the same idea to head to the cinema and it was a joy to see the foyer absolutely buzzing when I left the screen.
I was grateful for the well-overdue reminder of just how much Whitney's music was embedded in my growing up. I'm sure a lot of my generation agree. The music, the style and fashion, the music videos are instantly recognisable. I was transported back to the late 80s and 90s with my favourite songs bringing tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart, as I so gratefully remembered what they brought to me during those years and, of course, even later on.
I don't know why a lot of these aren't adorning my playlists and I feel that it's completely remiss of me to not have been enjoying her music and voice for far too long. This will be rectified. To digress, my favourite Whitney song has always been on repeat: 'One Moment in Time'. This song inspired me when I was training for one of the hardest running races I've ever done - The Lord Mayor's 5km in Norwich, where, at the time, you had to get through halfway in 9 mins 59 seconds or you got pulled out of the race! Raced in July, it is hot, hilly and quite terrifying! To keep positive and the belief that I could do it, I just heard this song in my head over and over and how I'd feel if I dared achieve my dream. I did achieve it and every time I hear the song it still makes me cry. Anyway, back to the film...
As well as an overdue nostalgia trip, this film spent time beautifully focusing on all the positives: her talents, her songs, the rise to fame: The Voice. Whitney is portrayed, in stunning style, by British actress Naomi Ackie. All vocals are Whitney herself, remixed for the cinema surround sound with breathtaking results.
The rest of the supporting cast are superb with Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis, Record Producer, Tamara Tunie as her mother Cissy and Clark Peters as her Dad, John.
This particular biopic (there are four previous) is 100% official and endorsed by the Houston Estate, with input from her sister-in-law, the company who controls parts of her musical rights and Clive Davis. It is also by the creative team who brought us Bohemian Rhapsody.
Whilst it is far from the focus of the film, they of course have to depict the drug problems she encountered and her marriage to Bobby Brown.
I always keep my reviews as positive as possible. There's enough people in the world who love to tear films apart and a lot of people's hard work and blood, sweat and tears. Whilst this may not challenge for the 'best of' in this genre, it still has the desired effect and it is well up there.
With any film of this type, most of us are aware of what is to come. That doesn't mean it's easy to see or even accept. Elvis and, of course, Bohemian Rhapsody being notable recent biopics which evoke the same feelings. They can make you think about what could have been, however, these films keep them alive in our hearts, souls and allows their music to live on. Perhaps even reaching a new generation.
Whether it's your last film of 2022, or first of 2023, I hope you enjoy as I did.
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