Whitney: Can I Be Me (2017)

Although I always admired Whitney Houston's incredible talent, I was never a huge fan of her music. However, once her death was announced, it saddened me more than any other famous person who had died. Maybe because we are both about the same age, or maybe because someone so beautiful and so talented left us in such a tragic way.Living in New Jersey (where she had a house), there were always rumors about her sexuality. I always thought her inability to "come out" was the primary reason for her sadness and drug use,and ultimately her death. But after watching this movie, it seems that there are multiple reasons, including her adjustments from a poor life to a wealthy life, her early drug addictions that continued, and her family members who didn't have her best interests in mind. I never thought Bobby Brown was the primary reason for her downfall, which seems to be supported by this documentary.All in all, a very sad documentary, but if you're interested in Whitney Houston's story, it's a definite must-see.

What an absolutely heartbreaking story. A beautiful soul with the voice of a gospel angel who lost herself and nobody could do anything to prevent this tragedy. This fairly short documentary looks at Whitney's early years, her rise to fame and the later chaotic times. Her family and those closest to her are shown as both supportive and damaging. Whitney became almost a trademark, a whitened commodity which provided those closest to her with careers and success. It's a heck of a responsibility on one person's shoulders. Along with that came the huge intrusion of fame and living one's life in a goldfish bowl. The drugs and alcohol, i guess, became a way of escaping and switching off from the merry go round of publicity and performance? The documentary shows private and public footage spanning 40yrs of Whitney's life. A lot is focused on the dynamics between Whitney, her family, Robyn and Bobby. Robyn's departure from Whitney's scene was regarded by some as the most damaging loss to Whitney and her well being. Her life spiralled downwards after this with drugs and family arguments. The ex bodyguard had been very aware of the situation and had flagged his concerns to the family. He had hoped that the arrival of their daughter, Bobbi Christina, would focus the couple's minds on their child's welfare. It didn't, they continued to self destruct. I remember when the news broke about Whitney's drug problems. a lot of blame was placed on Bobby Brown. He was the street and Whitney was a good girl being led astray. The documentary shows this wasn't the case. Whitney's image was, like her voice, beautiful and pure. I believe that image of her was damaging. It protected her in ways which enabled her to continue along the self destructive path. Rumours of her drug problems were never taken seriously. If they had, she may have faced a much earlier prod? Perhaps the outcome would've been different? The documentary, for me, isn't a morality tale. It highlights the huge problems faced by one person when catapulted into stardom. Fame demands the person to be the image created which is often far removed from the individual.

This documentary is not so much an homage to an amazing lady with a god given voice, but a honest look behind the limelight scenes: a woman trying her best to keep it all together. Although we all know how the story ends, this picture takes us back to the start. We see her star rising: albums, shows, world tours, movies, awards. Stock material mixed with many personal videos show us how success brings fortune and fame but also pressure, uncertainty and anxiety. Close friends and family share their personal thoughts about these high and low periods.

I do not understand the bad mention this documentary has received. It is actually quite good. Whitney Houston was one of the biggest pop stars in the 80's and in the 90's. Maybe one of the greatest ever? She was a mega star. A pop queen. This documentary basically takes a look into her tragic life, documenting her way down. The film is good in that it both depicts the backside of the fame, but also gives an insight into a person with bad self-esteem, dealing with people who was dependent on her money, but had no love for her. Those who tried to take care of her, was pushed away. It shows brutally that fame and money do not give any happiness, but leads to inhumane pressure from many teams. Whitney Houston's life ended tragically, but luckily the film also shows that she was a great artist, a natural talent and who also took a fair amount of choice. Good or bad ones. What made the deepest impression of the film,is the insight of her unhappiness. It's heartbreaking. This film is very honest in this way. Those who take part, really have insight in different ways. The only person missing is Robin Crawford. Her best friend who suddenly left her, and stays silent. For Whitneys part, I hope she had more happiness and joy in her short life than what this film shows.