I received a screener to facilitate this review and the giveaway prize will be provided but all opinions are my own.
Growing up, I of course knew some of Aretha Franklin’s biggest hits: Respect, You Make Me Feel {Like a Natural Woman}, and a couple of others. But I never knew anything about who she was as a person, or what her life was like behind all the glitz and glamour.
Respect gave a heartbreaking glimpse into what she dealt with, starting at a very young age. From a strained family life to an immense amount of pressure put on her as a child to absolutely tragic situations she had to deal with, Aretha lived a tough life. And in spite of that, she brought beautiful music to generations- and her music will live on for generations to come.
About the movie:
Following the rise of 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 Aretha Franklin’s journey to find her voice, in the midst of the turbulent social and political landscape of 1960s America.
Respect movie review
Like I said, I knew nothing about Aretha’s personal life before watching this movie. I didn’t know her dad was a famous preacher and I had no idea Aretha played a big role in the civil rights movement, even performing at Martin Luther King, Jr.’s funeral {and on tour with him before that}. Her life was fascinating- albeit, not always {or even, usually} happy- and I feel like knowing some of what went on in her life makes her music even more meaningful.
The movie starts with her childhood and ends when she records a live gospel album in January 1972, so it chronicles her rise to fame but mostly focuses on what was happening in her personal life during that time. I would have loved to have seen more from her life after that date, but the movie was already pretty long so I understand why they chose a big moment to end the film- after all, such a rich and full life would take hours and hours to show on screen.
This movie is a must-see for anyone who is a fan of her work or even just a big music fan in general. Aretha’s influence on music over the last half-century is undeniable, and having some context behind it is fascinating.
Bonus Features for Respect on Blu-ray
You can grab the film on digital, but I recommend getting it on Blu-ray for all the exclusive bonus features, including:
· The Making of Respect – Explore the unique telling of this Aretha Franklin story, what the project meant to all involved and how music played a pivotal role in crafting this film.
· Becoming Aretha – Take a behind the scenes look at Jennifer Hudson’s incredible transformation into the Queen of Soul including her commitment to the character, her connection with the late singer, and why inhabiting the legendary artist felt more like destiny than anything else.
· Capturing a Legacy – A celebration of director Liesl Tommy’s artistry and professionalism as the cast and crew express their appreciation and admiration for her and her process.
· From Muscle Shoals – Sit-down with the cast, crew and some of the original musicians that recorded with Aretha at Muscle Shoals to learn about this crucial time period in Aretha’s life and how it helped propel her evolution.
· Exploring the Design of Respect – Production designer Ina Mayhew and costume designer Clint Ramos discuss the research they conducted in order to create the beautiful sets in the film as well as the various custom-made wardrobes that span three decades of style.
Respect is available NOW on Blu-ray and Digital wherever you buy movies! You can pick up the Blu-ray on Amazon {affiliate link} right here.
GIVEAWAY
One lucky reader will win their own copy of the Blu-ray! To enter, just fill out the simple form below. Good luck!
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