Respect

Aretha Franklin was a tremendous singing talent, a complex woman in a complex era of dramatic changes that many of us are very thankful for. One of the most important aspects of the social changes were the Black music stars such as she that brought America together over a common respect and appreciation for self-evident exceptional ability and the joy of new brands and genre's of music that elevated the spirit to the heavens. For those who have come to know her music this movie helps to explain herself as the otherwise enigmatic person who's powerful soulful voice swamped her personal life as we could otherwise know it. This is a very compelling and well done biography that flows easily and supported by a mature and convincing emotive performance and singing of may of Aretha's hits by the very well casted Jennifer Hudson who is truly magnificent. True, as a human story it has its mundane aspects, its inevitable somewhat predictable elements, and it is a bit lengthy as was her 76 years of extensive accomplishment. But these are not faults for those who want to know the face behind the fame. I knew some of her more iconic famous songs, now i know a bit a bout her as a woman traveling through life, and now imbued with even more respect for this great woman, i now want to know and listen more. Great talent like hers is timeless, she and her music are not old they will resonate into the millennia for the discerning few forever in search of inspiring excellence and beauty regardless of the era.

Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker & Cast are Stellar in this biography of The Queen of Soul’s life. AppleTV+ is awesome too.

I gave it 2 stars ⭐️ only because it’s Aretha Franklin. It could have been a fantastic film but it really had no soul to it and I’m not talking about the music. Glad I waited until it was a cheap rental.

It's a little long but does a grea job of laying out the artist's trajectory. The stuggle to find her sound and in the process catapulted soul music. The variety of music she sang. Her conquest of Europe where no soul singer had succeeded at her level. Hudson was great. I wish McDonald had more to do, but you can't make a movie about 2 divas. I was raised on classical music. But, in 1968 I bought Lady Soul. She so electrified the music industry even a classical musician in Norfolk Virginia knew about her.

This is what I love

I was extremely excited to see this movie but was completely let down by the presentation. Following great biopics like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody I was expecting Aretha to also get the unique treatment in presenting her story in a unique and Motown with gospel roots way. But what we got was a safe movie following the same story arc similar to Walk the Line. The music as expected was excellent but in the end, I felt like I have seen this movie before and hoped for better. I wouldn’t say don’t watch this movie. It’s was just less than what I wanted to see out of an Aretha Franklin movie.

Had some good parts but not worth the price or the time. Was disappointing.

This felt like a cash grab for the producers. It’s a 2 1/2 hour movie where things happen and then are forgotten. It feels like you are watching everyone going through the motions but never feel engaged. Like this incident shaped Aretha in his way or that way. Grade A talent and the movie looks nice but the story telling is horrible. Remember 2 1/2 hour movie. That is all.

Perfect perfect! Jhud win a Oscar for this! ✨🤨

Uneventful and completely forgettable.