Bringing the life story of Aretha Franklin onto the screen in a credible way stands and falls with the cast of the exceptional singer. For the Hollywood biography “Respect”, the “Queen of Soul”, who died of cancer in 2018, personally selected Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson. They had been friends for years. And Hudson proves that she can follow in the footsteps of the music legend.
“Respect” begins in Detroit in 1952. Little Aretha sings powerfully in the house of her father, a charismatic preacher. Her mother is also a gifted singer. But the “demons” quickly emerge. The broken marriage of the parents, the early death of the mother, their pregnancies at the age of twelve and fourteen. “Respect” only touches on these experiences in passing – director Liesl Tommy captures Aretha’s unbelievable career, from the beginnings in the church choir to the world-famous superstar.
Jennifer Hudson (40) creates goose bumps as Aretha at the piano and microphone, from a triumphant appearance in New York’s Madison Square Garden to a night jam session. Franklin’s voice is inimitable, but Hudson found access to the legend to suit its tone.
“Respect”: CDN/USA, 2021, 145 Min., R: Liesl Tommy
Source: Nachrichten
