Whitney (2018)
Examines the life and career of singer Whitney Houston. Features never-before-seen archival footage, exclusive recordings, rare performances and interviews with the people who knew her best.
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This movie does not even begin to see the greatness and influence of Whitney Houston on music and female vocalists. Poorly edited, the movie does not really know where it's going. You have to have lived in the 80's to really understand WH's mystique. There are so much existing footage of Whitney singing live at awards show with a greatness and quality that very few vocalists can achieve. She was named the VOICE.. not for nothing. I really hope someone who REALLY loves her and truly appreciated her talents and beauty could make a film on her so that future generations can really understand her place in history and pop music. I will be waiting as it is NOT the one!!!!
There was a time in American history where every American regardless of race of religion could agree on what good music was. And that was Whitney Houston. A force of music that I am thankful I was of age to fully appreciate.She was a feel good pop force unleashed in the early 80's and tragically passed in 2012. There is nothing about this movie that tells you anything new that you couldn't have read in some tabloid. Or Wikipedia. But, this is just so entertaining. The same theory I hold for stupid movies like "Pitch Perfect" that ride the coattails of catchy pop from bygone era, Whitney's tune are super addictive. And curiously, none of which she had written herself. She was a singer. Not a musician. Thru her early days as a gospel singer under the watchful eye of former Aretha Franklin back up singer Cissy Houston, I learned a few new details I never researched back in the day. For instance, it's implied her father John Houston was a questionable New Jersey government employee. Let's say corrupt. Nothing new for Jersey. And that her shot to stardom was so fast, she barely had time to digest her popularity. It's never seen that she appreciated her fans, if not for one sentence...in the entire 2 hours 20 minute expose. The movie isn't...it's pretty superficial but really entertaining. I suspect this was purposefully done by director Kevin MacDonald. The typical tropes are here. "She was fighting her demons" "she trusted the wrong people" What isn't known...despite how much recorded conversation with her, is her own turmoil. You learn so much less about the true pain that haunted her. Only to see that it is rooted in her childhood (nothing new). Or her relationships with her closest family or friends who all seem to point fingers at one another. Even more curious is an appearance by ex-husband Bobby Brown who squashes any real insight into Whitney's real hard drug or alcohol binges. You hate the bloated idiot now, but...there have been many accounts, he may have been more like everyone else who held onto the fame of Whitney.Blessed with an amazing voice, some are gifted beyond this world. And as her career and life gets yanked from her, it's hard to know when she ever appreciated life. It leaves one with an awful empty feeling, probably the same as Whitney's full life. The cautionary tale you take from this...isn't really effective. It's hard when all we see is natural talent. Born talents don't seem as earned. Perhaps that's how she felt. Also, I find it uneasy that one of the producers on it also happened to be her former film agent (Nicole David). Seems even in death, people still wonder what they can bleed from her. You also wonder what may have happened had she lived into her 50's. Would she come to terms with her dark past? I'm not sure the makers of this believed she would.
No hold bars. I didn't want to see just concert footage. I can see that on you tube. There wasn't much I didn't know but the little tidbits and extra revelations made me feel compassion for Whitney. She went through a lot. People failed her and she failed herself. I believe she was a very good actor by that really good at covering up her true feelings. Hopefully this family will stop being in denial about the role they played.
If you are a Whitney Houston fan or even if you mainly just enjoy some of her hit songs, I highly recommend this movie. It is a very raw and real documentary that tells the successes and struggles that Whitney faced throughout her lifetime. The movie has never-seen-before footage and stories from Whitney's family members (Mother Cissy Houston, her siblings, Bobby Brown, best friend Robyn, etc), friends, and business associates and it talks about some of the deep, and dark secrets of her past all the way to the end of her life. "Whitney" had me up in excitement when I saw some of her behind-the-scenes thoughts and moments, but it also had me very sad when I saw a clear look into some of the personal demons that haunted her and were often in some of the tabloids at the time. If you want to look more into the story of an icon and to enjoy a strong drama on the theater screen, this movie is a good one to check out and it will have you talking and thinking about it even when it's over.