Name: Respect
Genre: Drama, Music, History
Released: 2021-08-12T00:00:00+00:00
Cast: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Mary J. Blige

The opening scene of Respect lingers on Jennifer Hudson’s powerful voice resonating through an empty church, a moment that sets the tone for Liesl Tommy’s biopic about Aretha Franklin. The film charts Franklin’s journey from a young girl singing in her father’s Detroit congregation to becoming a global icon, and it does so with a reverence that matches its subject’s legacy. Hudson, who delivers a performance as commanding as it is emotionally nuanced, is the undeniable anchor of the film, embodying Franklin’s spirit with grace and grit.

Tommy’s direction is measured, favoring intimate character moments over grandiose spectacle. The early scenes in Detroit are particularly strong, grounding Franklin’s story in the deep well of her family’s influence—Forest Whitaker’s portrayal of her father, C.L. Franklin, is a standout, capturing both his moral authority and the quiet strain beneath it. The film’s pacing allows for these relationships to breathe, making Franklin’s later struggles with fame and personal demons feel earned rather than rushed.

However, Respect stumbles when it tries to condense decades of Franklin’s life into a tidy narrative arc. The transitions between eras sometimes feel abrupt, and the film occasionally leans too heavily on well-worn biopic tropes—moments of triumph followed by inevitable fallout, repeated with diminishing returns. The supporting cast, while talented, is often relegated to broad strokes rather than given room to add depth. Marlon Wayans, as Franklin’s husband Ted White, is one-dimensional at best, and Audra McDonald’s portrayal of Barbara Franklin feels underutilized.

The film’s greatest strength lies in its musical sequences, which are breathtakingly executed. Hudson’s voice soars through classics like “I Say a Little Prayer” and the title track, “Respect,” each performance a testament to both her vocal prowess and Tommy’s keen eye for visual storytelling. The sound design is equally impressive, immersing the audience in the rich textures of Franklin’s music.

Yet Respect struggles with originality. While it pays homage to Franklin’s life with sincerity, it rarely ventures beyond the expected beats of a star’s rise-and-fall saga. The film’s adherence to genre conventions means that even its most poignant moments—Franklin’s battle with grief, her defiance in the face of sexism—feel familiar.

In the end, Respect is a solid, if unremarkable, entry into the biopic canon.

Tags: dramas, Marlon Wayans, Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Liesl Tommy, Respect