For devoted fans of Whitney Houston, and even casual admirers of her iconic voice, the movie “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” is undeniably a compelling watch. Prepare for a wave of nostalgia and strong emotions, as this biographical film revisits the life and career of a musical legend. From the opening scenes, the film grips you, and it’s likely you’ll find yourself tearing up at various points throughout this emotional journey. The clever decision to utilize Whitney Houston’s original vocal performances for the singing scenes adds an unparalleled layer of authenticity and poignancy, truly amplifying the emotional resonance – pun intended!
While it’s immediately apparent that no actor can perfectly replicate Whitney Houston’s unique physical presence, Naomi Ackie delivers a truly remarkable performance. She masterfully captures Whitney’s nuanced mannerisms and distinctive body language, offering a portrayal that feels both respectful and deeply engaging. Similarly, the actor embodying Clive Davis is exceptionally well-cast, adding another layer of authenticity to the narrative. However, what truly elevates the film and brings Whitney’s vibrant world to life is the meticulous attention to detail in styling, costumes, makeup, and hair. The recreation of iconic music video sets is also impressively accurate. The entire production team responsible for these visual elements deserves significant recognition for their outstanding work.
Having immersed myself in Whitney Houston’s story through various biopics, documentaries, interviews, and biographies authored by those closest to her – Cissy Houston, Bobby Brown, Narada Michael Walden, and Robyn Crawford – I approached this movie with a well-informed perspective. While the film effectively captures the broad strokes of Whitney’s career, some narrative choices and omissions are noticeable. Certain details appear to be either inaccurate or intentionally left out, such as the widely known anecdote about Eddie Murphy’s relationship with Whitney, which is entirely absent from the film. Furthermore, the movie attributes the suggestion for Whitney to sing “I Will Always Love You” to Clive Davis, when public knowledge credits Kevin Costner with this pivotal idea.
One of the more significant disappointments lies in the portrayal of John Houston and Robyn Crawford. The film depicts Whitney’s father, John, primarily as an aggressive figure solely focused on exploiting his daughter’s financial success. While there may be elements of truth to this portrayal, Robyn Crawford’s book offers a more nuanced perspective, suggesting John was also a caring father genuinely concerned for Whitney’s well-being. The movie’s one-dimensional depiction of John as purely greedy overlooks the complexities of his character, as perceived by those who knew him intimately.
Similarly, the portrayal of Robyn Crawford deviates significantly from her real-life persona, at least as understood by dedicated fans. Robyn is generally known to be soft-spoken, calm, and deeply caring towards Whitney. The movie, however, presents a character that feels somewhat removed from this established perception.
Another point of contention arises from a scene depicting Whitney appearing aloof and dismissive towards fans seeking autographs or photographs. While isolated incidents of this nature may have occurred, they stand in stark contrast to the numerous documented instances where Whitney is shown to be genuinely warm and appreciative of her fans. This portrayal risks creating a misleading impression of her overall relationship with her fanbase.
The film also notably omits any mention of Sylvia, Whitney’s personal assistant and close confidante. Even a brief acknowledgment of Sylvia’s role, perhaps through a non-speaking extra offering Whitney a towel – a gesture Sylvia was known for during world tours – would have added a layer of authenticity and recognized a significant figure in Whitney’s life.
Furthermore, the movie could have benefited from greater emphasis on aspects deeply important to Whitney, such as her faith, her engagement with the community, and her philanthropic endeavors. These elements were integral to her identity and deserved more screen time to provide a fuller picture of her life beyond the music industry.
It’s crucial to manage expectations when approaching “I Wanna Dance with Somebody.” This is not a film designed to unearth sensational, previously unknown details about Whitney Houston’s life. Instead, it focuses on presenting a narrative based on publicly available information. Critics may argue for a deeper exploration of her struggles and lesser-known aspects of her life. However, it’s also worth considering that Whitney herself valued her privacy and primarily wanted to be remembered for her musical contributions. In this light, the movie’s approach can be seen as respectful, choosing to revisit the known “ups and downs” of her journey while ultimately celebrating her extraordinary legacy and achievements, which have often been overshadowed by her personal challenges. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody movie” successfully navigates this delicate balance, offering a moving tribute to an unforgettable icon.
