If you haven’t seen the newly released blockbuster film “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, Marlon Wayans and Forest Whitaker, what are you waiting on? The long-anticipated film in which Aretha Franklin hand picked Hudson we well worth the wait.
Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, “Respect” is the remarkable true story of Franklin’s journey to find her voice.
Entertainment superstar Aretha Franklin was an industry icon and international treasure. Beloved by millions, honored by presidents, and she also struggled with personal and family turmoil. A child prodigy, she performed piano and sang at her father’s church and revival tours.
Creating a name for herself and bringing her sisters along, Aretha sang her heart out and with each song, it was apparent they were reflections of things going on in her life at the time of recording. Known as “The Queen of Soul”, Aretha lived a life of emotional struggle from her relationship with her mother, father, husbands and manager, as well as her struggle with alcohol. Hudson was magnificent in her portrayal.
Childhood stardom made Aretha grow up earlier than those her same age. At ages 12, she gave birth to her first son, and 14 another. Franklin raised both sons with family help. She was 6 when her parents separated, 9 when her mother died, which she took very hard. Franklin’s faith remained a lifelong source of strength. Hudson observes in the production notes, “When you grow up in church singing the way Aretha and I did … you learn to sing with a purpose … to a higher calling such as God.”
Respect,” a two hr 24 minute movie, delves deep into the iconic real-life story of Detroit’s famous star musician’s journey to discover her voice. Belting out songs in the genres of gospel, R&B, pop, jazz, blues and classical music — Franklin was in a world, and class, of her own.
Aretha was a strong Black woman, who stood up for Civil Rights. She sang at three U.S. presidential inaugurations (Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, Barack Obama) and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Her father, Rev. C.L. Franklin, a legendary Baptist preacher, was friends with Martin Luther King Jr. Franklin was active in the civil rights movement and sang at King’s funeral.
She was the first female inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and the second woman into the U.K. Music Hall of Fame. He connected her with famous singers such as Dinah Washington, Sam Cooke, Clara Ward, and Mahalia Jackson. Her major hits included “Respect,” “Chain of Fools,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.”
The biopic, was personal for director Liesl Tommy, who was raised in South Africa’s apartheid system. “Aretha Franklin loved Black people. I love Black people. I wanted to make sure that Black people would feel loved by this film,” she said in production notes for the film. “We’ve seen white men tell us who we are for so long, and this was our opportunity to say who we are. That authenticity is in every frame of this film.”
“Working in this film was like a dream come true”, said Hudson, when Franklin asked her 15 years ago to play her.” She said she is still in shock about portraying the larger-than-life Queen of Soul. Hudson spent time in Detroit at the home/porch where she lived and meeting neighbors and friends.
“The key for me, what helped me for one, is to actually have known the person,” Hudson, a multi-Grammy TV award winner, said. “Which, somehow allows me to carry even more for them and want to tell the story in the most honest way. While filming to try to experience as closely as she did in her life, which made it even more real to me to be able to deliver it.”
National Geographic Channel’s 2021 television series “Genius: Aretha” told a similar story. But was overshadowed by the depressed Aretha. The music and. Slight different storyline. But this film, had Aretha’s influence and it showed.
The wait is over go see for yourself…it was truly worth the wait.
Well that’s the Philly Beat!!!
