What's Love Got To Do With It (1993)
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A powerhouse biographical drama explores the tumultuous life and rise to stardom of legendary singer-songwriter Tina Turner.
The story
Raised in Nutbush, Tennessee in the early 1950s, Anna Mae Bullock is a young woman who eventually relocates to St. Louis. There, she discovers bandleader Ike Turner and impresses him with her singing, leading him to offer her a mentorship and production deal. As the first frontwoman of Kings of Rhythm, Anna Mae develops local popularity and begins a romance with Ike. The couple eventually moves to Los Angeles, where they become a national sensation as Ike & Tina Turner. However, as their fame grows, the domestic situation becomes increasingly complicated and volatile.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows Anna Mae Bullock from her childhood in Tennessee to her discovery of Ike Turner in St. Louis. After becoming the frontwoman for Kings of Rhythm, she and Ike marry and achieve national fame as Ike & Tina Turner. Their success leads them to Los Angeles, where they face domestic turmoil, including Ike's abusive behavior and the arrival of his children from a previous relationship. Despite the abuse, they achieve international stardom with hits like "Proud Mary." The narrative depicts a dark turning point in 1973 when an addicted Ike violently rapes Tina in their home studio. Following a suicide attempt, Tina finds strength through Buddhism and eventually flees from Ike in 1976, filing for divorce. In 1980, she begins rebuilding her career with manager Roger Davies. Despite Ike's continued threats, including a confrontation with a gun in 1983, Tina performs her hit "What's Love Got to Do with It" at the Ritz Theatre, finally realizing her dream of being a rock superstar.
- First release year
- 1993
- Runtime (minutes)
- 118
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Brian Gibson
- Writers
- Kate Lanier · screenplay; Howard Ashman · story
- Cast and characters
- Angela Bassett · Tina Turner; Laurence Fishburne · Ike Turner; Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly · young Anna Mae; Cora Lee Day · Grandma Georgiana; Khandi Alexander · Darlene; Jenifer Lewis · Zelma Bullock; Phyllis Yvonne Stickney · Alline Bullock; Penny Johnson Jerald · Lorraine Taylor
- Genres
- biographical; drama
- Themes
- Domestic violence; Rise to fame; Survival; Faith
- Tone and mood
- Biographical; Dramatic; Raw
- Premise and plot tags
- Biopic; Music; True Story; Drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Tina Turner's 1986 autobiography I, Tina
- Content notes
- Violence; Rape
- Reception
- The film received widespread critical acclaim and was a commercial success, grossing $61 million on a $15 million budget. It was praised for its powerhouse performances by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Awards · Best Actress · 66th · Nomination; Academy Awards · Best Actor · 66th · Nomination; Golden Globe Award · Best Actress – Motion Picture Comedy or Musical · Win
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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