Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022)
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The film explores the life and career of pop icon Whitney Houston, focusing on her early relationships and the complexities of her rise to fame.
The story
In 1983, 19-year-old Whitney Houston is coached by her demanding mother, Cissy, for a church choir. Her close friendship with Robyn Crawford turns romantic, leading to cohabitation and upsetting Cissy. At the Sweetwaters nightclub, Cissy spots producer Clive Davis and feigns sickness, forcing Whitney to perform "The Greatest Love of All," which becomes her big break. Davis immediately signs her to Arista Records. Whitney's first major live performance on The Merv Griffin Show triggers the immense success of her self-titled debut album in 1985, setting the stage for her journey as a global superstar.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows Whitney Houston's rise to fame starting in 1983. After her big break with Clive Davis, she achieves massive success with her 1985 debut album. Her personal life is complicated by her relationship with Robyn Crawford, her overbearing father John, and her eventual marriage to Bobby Brown in 1992. The film depicts her peak period, including performing the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV and her acting debut in The Bodyguard. It also explores her struggles with substance abuse, financial mismanagement by her father, and a tumultuous marriage to Bobby, who she eventually accuses of spending her money. Despite a potential comeback in the late 90s, her addiction resumes. After a period of rehab and a divorce in 2007, she attempts a second comeback in 2009. The film concludes with her final performance in 2012 at the Beverly Hilton, where she passes away shortly after.
- First release year
- 2022
- Runtime (minutes)
- 144
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Kasi Lemmons
- Writers
- Anthony McCarten · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Naomi Ackie · Whitney Houston; Stanley Tucci · Clive Davis; Ashton Sanders · Bobby Brown; Tamara Tunie · Cissy Houston; Nafessa Williams · Robyn Crawford; Clarke Peters · John Houston; Dave Heard · Rickey Minor; Bria Danielle Singleton · Bobbi Kristina Brown
- Genres
- biographical; musical; drama
- Themes
- fame; addiction; family dynamics; identity
- Tone and mood
- biographical; honest; entertaining
- Premise and plot tags
- biopic; musical; LGBTQ-related; historical
- Source material / true-story basis
- the life and career of American pop icon and actress Whitney Houston
- Content notes
- substance abuse
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews from critics, with praise for Naomi Ackie's performance and criticisms for its length and editing. It was a success on Netflix US, reaching number one.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 51 · scale: 100 · review count: 44; CinemaScore · score: A · scale: A+ to F; PostTrak · score: 88%
- Awards and nominations
- Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal Feature · Visual Effects Society Awards · 21st · nominated; EE Rising Star · British Academy Film Awards · 76th · nominated; Outstanding Achievement in Music Editing – Feature Motion Picture · Motion Picture Sound Editors' Golden Reel Awards · 70th · nominated; Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture · NAACP Image Awards · 54th · nominated; Best Movie · BET Awards 2023 · 2023 · nominated
- Production trivia
- The film was expected to begin principal photography in Newark, New Jersey, and Boston, Massachusetts.; Naomi Ackie lip-synched to Houston's songs, though she does her own singing in a few early scenes.; It is one of the highest grossing music biopics of all time.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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