The Aretha Franklin biopic RESPECT has all the elements to be an amazing film.  The cast is outstanding with Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan, and Mary J. Blige, just to name a few. Mary J knocks it out of the ballpark with her performance as Dina Washington.

Jennifer’s interpretation of Aretha’s songs is on point as is the emotion she pours into the role.  She brought the insecurity, joy, strength, and power of Aretha to the role.  I understand why Aretha personally chose her for the role.

I had the honor to speak with Aretha’s cousin and background singer Brenda Franklin-Corbett after she saw the film. I asked her what she thought of it at Jennifer playing the role. “I was happy because they showed the real Aretha Franklin. Jennifer did an amazing job and I just love her. She is a sweetie pie…. I believe that Aretha’s spirit was with Jennifer, and I think that she would be happy because even at some points of the movie, she almost looked like Aretha.”

I was thoroughly impressed with Skye Dakota Turner as the young Aretha.  Her voice and acting ability gave me a clear vision of what Aretha’s young life was like and it wasn’t at all what I envisioned it to be.

Hat’s off to Marlon Wayans in his role of Aretha’s first and abusive husband Ted White.  I didn’t recognize Marlon in this role.  It is the first time I have seen him play a serious character with depth and I was impressed and engrossed in his performance.

I enjoyed the film and even shed a tear at the very end, however, I left the theater with so many questions that bother me to this writing. 

I interviewed Ms. Franklin (no, I didn’t refer to her as Aretha) several times and heard all the rumors regarding her childhood, but it didn’t sink in until I saw this biopic of her life.  She was always poised, down-to-earth, funny, and gracious.

One of the many questions that I have is of how she became pregnant at the age of 12 years of age and her father being a minister, how was she was allowed to become pregnant again at 14 and keep the children?  Let me explain – when I was young if a girl became pregnant, she was sent down south or to a home for unwed mothers (yes this was the 50’s), have the baby at it was raised by a family member or adopted. She was a child and wasn’t protected.  I couldn’t wrap my mind around it, and I must admit it is a moment in the film that still bothers me.

 I asked her cousin Brenda about this, and she responded,

“My feeling about that, I believe it happened because her mother wasn’t there. She did not have a woman to be there with her, to guide her, and to let her know what time it was, and to let her know what life was about. And I think that by the mom… I never got a chance to meet my auntie because I think she left right after I was born, and all I know was my uncle, Aretha, and Carolyn, and Erma, and Cecil. I never got a chance to meet her where I would remember her. And I really believe that because her mother was missing, that had a lot to do with it. And a man raising a girl? Come on.”

At the end of the film when Ms. Franklin came on the screen performing at the Kennedy Center tears came to my eyes.  She was an amazing woman, and her spirit will forever live on.  I’m glad the film closed on this up note.

Brenda Franklin-Corbett: “I believe that you should go and see the film because it’s showing the real Aretha and you will love it. It’s going to make you cry a little bit, it’s going to make you laugh a little bit, but you will see the person that Aretha really was, and you will love it. So go see it!”

I enjoyed the film and over all thought that it is worth going to the theater and see it. It is long so make sure you have lots of popcorn.

I give the Biopic RESPECT 4 winks of the EYE! 

Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!

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