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Respect
2021 145 min United States of America, Canada PG-13 12+
★6.8
Drama, Music, History
Director: Liesl Tommy
Trailers
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Description
The rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom.
Budget:
$55M
US Gross:
$24.28M
Worldwide:
$31.22M
Starring
Jennifer Hudson
Actor
Forest Whitaker
Actor
Marlon Wayans
Actor
Awards
Screen Actors Guild Awards 2022
— Best Actress
Golden Globe 2022
— Best Original Song
MTV Movie & TV Awards 2022
— Best Original Song
Key opinion
Respect is generally viewed as a visually competent but conventional biopic that relies heavily on Jennifer Hudson's powerful vocal performance. While some appreciate its honest exploration of trauma and musical passion, others criticize the film for its formulaic storytelling and inability to provide deep insight into Franklin’s complex life.
| Acting | Jennifer Hudson captures the essence of Aretha Franklin’s vocal talent, effectively conveying the singer's internal pain and soulful range. | |
| Originality | The narrative follows a strictly conventional biopic structure that suffers from a lack of original storytelling and predictable character arcs. | |
| Screenplay | The film’s reliance on repetitive tropes regarding domestic abuse and strict family dynamics leads to clunky and surface-level drama. | |
| Theme | The focus on the singer's traumatic history and domestic struggles divides viewers; some find it a truthful, humanizing portrait, while others argue it overshadows her musical legacy and professional accomplishments. |