Review of Whitney (2018) by Victoria N — 05 Jul 2018
"Whitney" is painful to watch. How could any truthful film about Whitney Houston's life not be? Kevin Macdonald takes the viewer from the singer's early beginnings through her meteoric rise and devastating fall with never-before-seen footage and candid commentary from those who surrounded her daily.
He seems to almost gloss over her ascent with a montage piece highlighting her chart successes and spends too little time on the rarity of her gift, once referred to as the "8th wonder of the world," opting instead to highlight her inner demons and the envy of many (if not most) of those around her, who put dollar signs ahead of the physical and psychological wellbeing of Houston.
The obvious reticence of Cissy Houston, Whitney's mother, and Bobby Brown, Whitney's ex-husband, to open up in the documentary is indicative of what the problem has been all along: denial. While this showcasing of the negatives could easily lead the film into tabloid, movie-of-the-week territory, Macdonald manages to retain Houston's dignity, treating his subject with great compassion as he gives his viewers a glimpse into her personal pain, confusion and loneliness.
This review of Whitney (2018) was written by Victoria N on 05 Jul 2018.
Whitney has generally received positive reviews.
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