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RESPECT

Cert 12A

145 mins

BBFC advice: Contains domestic abuse, racism, sexual abuse references, infrequent strong language

Aretha Franklin was arguably the greatest female singer of the last century and she knew it.

Stories of her temper and diva demands are almost as legendary as her ability to belt out some of soul's iconic hits.

It is also said that she had an insatiable sex drive which had been sparked by the debauchery swirling around her father's church.

Indeed, the sexual awakening is said to have resulted in her becoming pregnant at just 12 years old.

Hold on, very little of the above is represented in Liesl Tommy's Respect which is very much a reflection of how Aretha (Jennifer Hudson) would have liked to have been seen.

Therefore, she is portrayed as a victim who made it big despite the exploiters around her.

These include her father, played by Forest Whitaker and husband (Marlon Wayans) who beat and berated her.

There is certainly evidence that their abuse may have been true and that they saw Aretha as their own vehicle to fame and fortune.

And Whitaker and Wayans both excel in the roles of domineering men.

They are, however, overshadowed by Hudson who is brooding and brilliant while also giving some high-quality renditions of the Aretha catalogue.

The movie only covers the period up until the famous gospel concert in the early 70s which saw the singer emerge from a dark period of heavy drinking.

Therefore, her greatest reported excesses are excluded by time.

However, I couldn't help feeling that this was a public relations job rather than telling the in-depth story of a charismatic but complicated character.

Reasons to watch: Great music and top performances

Reasons to avoid: Editing of history?

Laughs: None

Jumps: None

Vomit: Yes

Nudity: None

Overall rating: 7/10

Did you know? Aretha Franklin won 18 Grammys, had 112 singles on the Billboard charts, and sold over 75 million records worldwide. She was the first female performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and remains the most charted female artist in history.

The final word. Jennifer Hudson: "I’m like, “Wait a minute, the ‘Amazing Grace’ I grew up singing in church was her rendition? She created ‘Mary, Don’t You Weep’?” All those songs I grew up singing in church, where I started, were inspired by her." Consequence

 

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