Respect Review: Jennifer Hudson Shines as Aretha Franklin

Respect, the biopic about the life and career of legendary singer Aretha Franklin, has had a tumultuous journey to the big screen. Directed by Liesl Tommy and starring Jennifer Hudson as the Queen of Soul, the film was initially slated for a December 2020 release, but the COVID-19 pandemic forced MGM to postpone it. The studio had invested a staggering $60 million into the production, making it a high-stakes endeavor from the start.

Aretha Franklin herself had handpicked Jennifer Hudson to portray her on screen, a decision that was supported by Jonathan Glickman, the president of MGM at the time and one of the film’s producers. However, the pre-production process was plagued with creative conflicts and confusion. In January 2019, Aretha’s family expressed their discomfort with MGM, stating that the studio was not adequately consulting them on the development of the script.

Shortly after, acclaimed screenwriter Callie Khouri, who had won an Oscar for Thelma & Louise, left the project, and the script was rewritten by Tracey Scott Wilson, who had no prior experience in feature films. It seems that MGM was intent on softening the content of the film, likely to avoid any direct conflicts with Aretha’s family and potential controversies.

A Formulaic Approach to Aretha’s Story

The final product, Respect, reflects this lack of creative vision and the studio’s desire to play it safe. The narrative follows a familiar formula, similar to what we’ve seen in recent biopics like Judy and The United States vs. Billie Holiday. The film traces Aretha’s journey from her childhood talent to her rise to stardom, with a focus on her tumultuous family life, abusive relationships, and the struggle for recognition.

However, the execution falls short, as the film struggles to maintain a cohesive and compelling storyline. The director, Liesl Tommy, attempts to reinforce the traumatic events in Aretha’s life through repetitive and heavy-handed techniques, such as “pay close attention to this scene because it will be important later.” This approach, combined with the film’s lengthy runtime of 2 hours and 25 minutes, results in a disjointed and overly dramatic experience.

One of the film’s main issues is the lack of depth in the secondary characters. While Jennifer Hudson’s performance as Aretha is undoubtedly strong, the supporting cast, including Forest Whitaker as her father and Marlon Wayans as her first husband, are relegated to superficial roles. The dialogue between these characters is often vague, and the film’s reliance on temporal leaps without proper justification further exacerbates the problem of continuity and character development.

The Musical Advantage and the Oscars Dilemma

Where Respect shines, however, is in its musical sequences. When the film focuses on Aretha’s performances and her journey as a singer, it becomes a more engaging and compelling experience. The director’s background in theater and television seems to serve her well in these moments, as she is able to capture the energy and emotion of Aretha’s iconic songs.

This musical advantage may be Respect’s saving grace when it comes to the upcoming awards season. The question of whether Jennifer Hudson will receive an Oscar nomination for her performance is a valid one. The Academy has a history of recognizing similar performances in biopics, and Hudson’s portrayal of Aretha is undoubtedly strong.

However, the film’s distribution strategy may pose a challenge. United Artists, the distributor of Respect in the United States, has a crowded slate of high-profile releases this year, and they may prioritize those films over Respect in their awards campaign. This could make it difficult for the film to gain the necessary momentum and attention to secure a nomination for Hudson.

Aretha Franklin’s Legacy and the Importance of Authenticity

Ultimately, Respect is a film that struggles to do justice to the legacy of Aretha Franklin. While it showcases Jennifer Hudson’s impressive vocal talents and her ability to capture the essence of the Queen of Soul, the film’s lack of creative vision and its adherence to a formulaic approach undermine its potential to truly resonate with audiences.

The Aretha Franklin family’s initial discomfort with MGM’s handling of the project is understandable. Biopics, especially those about iconic figures like Aretha, require a delicate balance of authenticity, nuance, and artistic vision. When studios prioritize commercial interests over the integrity of the subject’s story, the result can be a superficial and unsatisfying portrayal.

As a fan of Aretha Franklin’s music and legacy, I can’t help but feel that Respect falls short in capturing the full depth and complexity of her life and artistry. The film’s reliance on familiar tropes and its inability to fully develop the supporting characters do a disservice to the richness of Aretha’s story.

The Missed Opportunity of Respect

In the end, Respect is a missed opportunity to truly celebrate the life and legacy of Aretha Franklin. While Jennifer Hudson’s performance is undoubtedly impressive, the film’s overall execution is hampered by a lack of creative vision and a desire to play it safe. The result is a biopic that, despite its good intentions, fails to do justice to the Queen of Soul.

Thank you for reading, and I look forward to continuing our discussion about the complexities and challenges of bringing iconic stories to the big screen.

Key Takeaways:

• Respect, the Aretha Franklin biopic, had a troubled production history, with creative conflicts and studio interference.

• The film follows a familiar formula seen in recent biopics, struggling to maintain a cohesive and compelling storyline.

• Jennifer Hudson’s performance as Aretha is strong, but the supporting cast and character development are lacking.

• The musical sequences are the film’s strongest asset, but the overall execution fails to do justice to Aretha Franklin’s legacy.

• The question of whether Jennifer Hudson will receive an Oscar nomination is complicated by the film’s distribution strategy and the crowded awards season.

• Authenticity and artistic vision are crucial when bringing the stories of iconic figures to the screen, and Respect falls short in this regard.