The intention is laudable, but it is not enough.
Making a biographical film is less simple than one might think. It is not enough to secure the services of a good director (recall “Alexander” by Oliver Stone), nor even a good actress (recall Naomi Watts in “Diana”). First and foremost, you need a scenario that holds up, an analysis and/or interpretation of the person’s life as well as strong moments… with, as a bonus, an actor who forgets himself. in the role (recall “The Doors” by Oliver Stone).
Because the scenario of Anthony McCarten (“Bohemian Rhapsody”) put in images by the director Kasi Lemmons goes from one hit song to another, filling the rest with quick moments on the life of the singer, citing in passing her exploits music in an attempt to raise awareness of its exceptional qualities.
British actress Naomi Ackie is doing her best. She excels at lip-synchro (“lip-sync”) while singing a few notes, borrows the mannerism of Whitney Houston and depicts her, before her success, as a vibrant young woman, strong-willed and unconcerned with when shall we say . But it doesn’t last. At the third of this feature film of 146 minutes, the exercise begins to look furiously like a paint-by-numbers exercise.
His romantic relationship with Robyn Crawford (Nafessa Williams)? Do. The controlling mother – Cissy (Tamara Tunie) – and the dishonest father – John (Clarke Peters) –? Do. The father figure manager – Clive Davis (Stanley Tucci) –? Do. The ill-matched marriage to Bobby Brown (Ashton Sanders)? Do. Drugs? Do. The decline? Do. His “hits”? Do.
And that’s all.
No inspiring moments, no unifying scenes, no explanation of the reasons for his fall, no context is ever given, the events (wrapped in the costumes of the 1980s) following one another to the rhythm of his hits.
No doubt, Whitney Houston deserved better than this soporific “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” which gives the impression that the star is, once once more, being exploited.
- Rating: 2.5 out of 5
- “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” hits theaters on December 23.