This routine musical biopic establishes Houston touchstones very quickly through her teen years at the start of the film - exacting mother, self-serving father, bisexuality, gateway weed-smoking - and once her serendipitous performing break in front of label boss Clive Davis sets her career in motion the well-worn story unfolds. Sharing a writer with Bohemian Rhapsody, this film is similarly slick and polished if somewhat laboured and obvious in telling its classic (if still sad and self-destructive) rise-and-fall showbiz tale, which in this case cries out for a bit more grittiness or the creativity of Rocketman to make it really soar. As Houston, Naomi Ackie turns in nothing short of a remarkable and assured performance both dramatically and musically, with a nicely-played contrasting turn from Stanley Tucci as her steady boss/father-figure Davis. In spite of its length, the film feels superficial overall, particularly on the later years of the singer's life, but the musical scenes and recreations work well and undeniable sadness of the loss of an extraordinary talent still comes across.
No comments:
Post a Comment