Writer/Director: Brian Gibson
Starring: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and Jenifer Lewis
‘A Magnificent Masterpiece’
Not many actresses have made movies which are as impossible to forget as Angela Bassett. Ever since her rise to fame during the 1990’s, Bassett has made memorable films. Whether it’s political figures, frustrated mothers or bold CIA officers, Bassett has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bassett’s strength as an actress has always been her commitment to her craft. She is one of those actresses that has often had a commanding presence which elevates every movie. Bassett has never been afraid to take risks in her career by portraying characters that aren’t likeable. Through her willingness to take risks in her career, Bassett has become an actress that audience value. An actress that has a strong commitment to impress, Bassett has achieved great success. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bassett has never lost a passion for making engaging entertainment. Throughout her career, Bassett has made many memorable movies which are worth talking about.
I’m a huge fan of Bassett and admire all the movies she has made in her career. However, “What’s Love Got to do With it” is definitely my favourite. Released in 1993, Brian Gibson’s film offered an engaging tribute towards the iconic musician Tina Turner. Packed with captivating production design, engaging storytelling and strong acting, it’s one of the best music biopics ever made. At the centre of it all is a powerful performance by Angela Bassett, who portrays a musician seeking to escape a frail marriage. Ultimately, what makes “What’s Love Got to Do With it” a masterpiece is universal appeal. Unlike most musical biopics, it tackles strong themes everyone would relate to. It delivers a meaningful message about domestic abuse which would resonate with everyone. A riveting musical masterpiece, there are many reasons why “What’s Love Got to Do With it” is a movie worth seeing.
Based on a true story, “What’s Love Got to Do With it” captures the rise of a famous African American musician in history. Angela Bassett plays Tina Turner, a woman with dreams to be a famous singer. Turner has always had a love for music ever since she was a child. Born with a gift for singing, Turner sets out on a journey to pursue an art she finds engaging. However, Turner’s life changes when she becomes tragic victim of a broken marriage causing a disaster. Her spouse Ike (Laurence Fishburne) is a cruel man that often abuses her regularly. Trapped in a doomed marriage which is beyond repair, Turner begins to question whether it’s possible for her achieve a musical career. As all odds are stacked against her favour, Turner begins to wonder whether truly possible for her to be a successful singer.
Brian Gibson is a newcomer towards themes of singers. Before he directed “What’s Love got to do With It”, Gibson had never made a musical biopic before. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempt to capture the life of a famous African American singer in history but he succeeded immensely. Using captivating cinematography, Gibson captures the life of a legendary singer in American history. Gibson successfully uses montages capturing a musician’s rise to fame in the industry. For instance, montages elevate the concert scene. During this heartfelt scene, Anna Mae performs for the first time in a bar with Ike. One appreciates montages capturing the lives of musicians that seek success in a competitive industry. Montages are tricky to use in most movies. As Ryan Coogler’s “Black Panther” demonstrated, montages enhance commemorated Marvel comic book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Using stunning visuals, Gibson captures hardships which legendary African-American musicians seeking success are often facing.
Another admirable aspect of “What’s Love Got to do With it” is the production design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well made. Gibson effectively employs production design to capture the lives of musicians which compose melodies that shine. Gibson’s choice to use live singing in the movie is risky but it pays off tremendously. For instance, the live singing enhances the musical concert scene. During this unforgettable scene, Tina Turner performs a concert under a state of pressure. Through love singing, Gibson honours legacy of a singer that people value. Live singing is a tricky technique to use in films. Tom Hooper’s “Les Miserables” suggested that life singing is suited to Broadway musicals. Nevertheless, it works tremendously in this film. Furthermore, the musical score is superb. Stanley Clarke’s music is key to the success of the film. It gives the film a tense atmosphere capturing burden that singers enduring abusive marriages bear. Through powerful production, Gibson honours an iconic musician.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “What’s Love Got to Do With it” is a musical film that’s compelling. The film is beautifully written, and expertly uses silence to capture tension faced by singers in broken marriages. Gibson’s screenwriting strength is his ability to capture tensions that singers in a destructive marriage experience by silence. For instance, silence elevates the abuse scene. During this heartbreaking scene, Tina is beaten up by Ike in front of her children causing tragedies. One appreciates silence capturing tensions singers are facing. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. As Spike Lee’s “Malcolm X” proved clearly, silence elevates biopics about political leaders. Pete Docter’s “Soul” claimed silence elevates animated movies about soulful jazz musicians. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Through a spectacular screenplay, Gibson captures the lives of commemorated African-American singers that face a price to pay.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Angela Bassett delivers one of her best career performances as Tina Turner. Bassett earned appreciations for playing powerful women in period pieces. With “What’s Love Got to Do With it”, however, she took on her most tricky role. It isn’t easy to portray singer trapped in a broken marriage causing tragedy but Bassett succeeds immensely. This is the actress unlike you have ever seen her before: intense, real and emotional in her most memorable role. Bassett has often excelled playing emotional women under stress, and “What’s Love Got to Do With it” showcased her strengths as an actress. With riveting expressions, she conveys the angst, determination and trauma of a singer that faced broken marriages causing tragedy. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most commemorated African-American actresses that is currently working today.
Laurence Fishburne is fantastic as a musician that abuses women in a broken marriage that faces destruction. Fishburne always excels at playing strong men in positions of power, and “What’s Love Got to Do With It” showcased his strengths as an actor. Whether he’s abusing Tina in a cruel manner or showcasing talent for being a singer, Fishburne effectively uses his body language to crave a compelling singer. It’s a role that gave the actor the chance to showcase his talent for portraying emotional men under pressure. It’s a terrific performance from one of the most commemorated African-American actors working today.
Finally, “What’s Love Got to Do With It” would earn everyone’s appreciation for honouring a real-life musician. Unlike most movies about famous musicians, it tackles strong themes which everyone would relate to. It discusses universal themes including addiction, grief and domestic abuse which would resonate with everyone. Viewers aren’t required to be fans of Tina Turner’s music to appreciate it. It delivers a meaningful message about domestic abuse which will resonate with everyone. Therefore, “What’s Love Got to Do With it” is one of those rare commemorated musical biopics about African-Americans everyone will adore.
Fans of Angela Bassett will definitely admire “What’s Love Got to Do With it” and so would movie-goers seeking melodious entertainment. A captivating musical biopic, it honours legacy of an actress that’s iconic.
Nearly 40 years after Tina Turner became an iconic musician leaving behind a lasting legacy through her powerful singing, it’s a riveting reminder of an African-American actress that has earned a huge fan following gaining praise for her abilities to portray compelling characters in captivating movies which are definitely worth celebrating.
5/5 stars
The Film Buff 