Respect (2021)
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The film follows the first three decades of Aretha Franklin's life, from her birth as a musical prodigy to her rise as an international superstar.
The story
In 1952, 10-year-old Aretha Franklin lives with her father, a pastor in Detroit, and her siblings. After being traumatized by the predatory actions of a family friend and the sudden death of her mother, she ceases to speak until her father demands she sing at church. Seven years later, as a teen mother, she begins touring as a gospel singer. She eventually signs a contract to record jazz standards, but struggles with her father's controlling influence and the search for a signature hit, eventually entering a complicated relationship with a producer named Ted.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film chronicles Aretha Franklin's life from 1952 through 1972. After a childhood marked by the loss of her mother and her father's demands for her to perform, Aretha begins a career in jazz and gospel. She meets producer Ted White, who becomes her manager and eventually her husband. Despite his support in securing a deal with Atlantic Records and introducing her to the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, their marriage is marred by his jealousy and domestic abuse. Aretha eventually finds her own voice, rearranging Otis Redding's "Respect" into a No. 1 hit. She becomes a Civil Rights icon, honored by Dr. King, but continues to struggle with her father's disapproval and Ted's volatile behavior. After casting Ted out, she navigates a period of alcoholism and personal struggle before finding strength in her gospel roots. The film concludes with her recording the live album 'Amazing Grace' in 1972, with an epilogue establishing her legacy as the 'Queen of Soul'.
- First release year
- 2021
- Runtime (minutes)
- 145
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Liesl Tommy
- Writers
- Tracey Scott Wilson · screenplay; Callie Khouri · story; Tracey Scott Wilson · story
- Cast and characters
- Jennifer Hudson · Aretha Franklin; Forest Whitaker; Marlon Wayans; Audra McDonald; Marc Maron; Tituss Burgess; Mary J. Blige
- Genres
- biographical; musical; drama
- Themes
- Self-respect; Overcoming abuse; Musical legacy; Civil Rights; Family dynamics
- Tone and mood
- Entertaining; Emotionally revelatory; Intense
- Premise and plot tags
- Biographical; Musical; Drama; True Story; Civil Rights; Music Industry
- Source material / true-story basis
- The life of American singer Aretha Franklin
- Content notes
- Domestic abuse; Alcoholism; Sexual assault
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances, the film's production values, and costume design, but received criticism for its screenplay and long running time.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 61 · scale: 100 · review count: 43; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 89%
- Production trivia
- Jennifer Hudson was asked to play Franklin by Franklin herself after the release of Dreamgirls.; The film was originally scheduled for a limited release on December 25, 2020.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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