Respect (2021) User Reviews

Hudson shines and honors the Queen of Soul

[bastille-852-731547 · 7/10 · 12 August 2021]

Jennifer Hudson is an excellent actress, and I always thought she would be a great choice to portray Aretha Franklin. It would be no easy task to fully portray Franklin's legacy on screen in an authentic manner, but after having seen the film early at a Fandango advance screening, I'm happy to say that she succeeded. Hudson's acting range is potent and profound. She is able to clearly convey passion, empathy, and emotional challenges where appropriate in the film's narrative. The film attempts to provide a comprehensive overview of most of Franklin's life, from her challenging early childhood until the 1970s, but primarily focuses on the mid-to-late 60s and early 70s. Its narrative structure is a bit choppy and awkwardly paced, although it should be noted that (to state the obvious) no individual's life depicted in a biopic can fit completely neatly into the conventional three-act Hollywood film structure.

To state the obvious, Hudson's leading performance is the true crown jewel of the film. The film does a great job at humanizing Aretha Franklin, while still showing her emotional and substance-related struggles in a realistic way. Supporting performances in the film are quite strong as well. Particularly notable are Forest Whitaker giving a commanding and powerful performance as Franklin's father, and Marlon Wayans portraying her violent, self-centered husband. Hudson's singing voice is great as well, and her performances of songs such as "Respect," "You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman," and "Amazing Grace" are superb. Despite the exceptional acting talent on display in the film, "Respect" sometimes waddles a bit too much in formulaic and conventional tropes of biopics. The film sometimes comes off as playing it a bit too safe, and shies away from taking any noteworthy creative risks that could have had greater stakes or emotional impact within the context of the viewing experience. At about 2.5 hours, it runs a bit too long, and there's definitely about 30 minutes worth of scenes in here that do not add much to the overall narrative and could easily have been cut. That said, an awards-worthy lead performance makes the film generally a solid one. Recommended. 7/10.

Wanted to love it, but just didn't.

[mrashtastic89 · 6/10 · 18 August 2021]

I went to see this film today and was really excited, but this film didn't deliver what I thought it would.

Jennifer Hudson is phenomenal as Aretha Franklin, she has an incredible voice and portrayed her really well.

But there wasn't too much plot to follow, and if you're gonna put Mary J. In a biopic about Aretha, make her do more, she pretty much appeared and disappeared.

Also, Marlon Wayans could've been better, the scene in the hotel where he keeps calling that guy a redneck felt tacked on and cringey.

This film is also way too long, at least 20 minutes could've been cut, the opening was way too stretched out and the church scene was the same.

In the end respect was a bit of a disappointment, and I'm gonna give it a C+

good portrayal of Aretha the performer, but little beyond that

[cherold · 6/10 · 23 October 2021]

Recently I saw a great TV series, Genius: Aretha Franklin, which offered the width and breadth of Aretha Franklin, showing the myriad experiences that made her who she became.

The Genius series was ambitious with its shifting time and harsh moments, but Respect is a more traditional biopic, with many of the edges sanded off. It's not that there aren't good moments - Aretha creating in the studio or putting on a fabulous show can be electrifying - it's just that those moments aren't used to build anything. Genius suggested that Aretha's life was worth telling because she was interesting, Respect tells you Aretha's life is worth telling because, well, she's famous, and people like to learn about famous people.

Jennifer Hudson is excellent. Respect makes you wish you could go back in time and see Aretha in concert in a way Genius didn't. But in the end there's a "so what" quality to the endeavor.

Done before and better

[Movi3DO · 6/10 · 14 August 2021]

A biopic about Aretha Franklin and her journey to find her voice.

Honestly I was not excited much for this movie, and only watched it because of the T-Mobile Tuesday ticket discount. The plot of the movie was done many many times before. We have a character reached their highest, then lowest, and then redeeming themselves. Recent movies like Rocketman and Bohemian Rhapsody had this plot and were executed better.

The best part of this movie was the lead actress Jennifer Hudson, who had an amazingly powerful voice. This made all of the songs in the movie enjoyable and empowering to hear.

Talking more about the plot, towards the end, for some reason the pace sped up too quickly. I only know that she had reached her best and worst, but I didn't know exactly why she got to those points. It felt like out of nowhere she just reached her lowest point. Also, even though the first hour or so set up Aretha's struggle pretty well, there were still some parts that moved too fast and became disorientating.

Overall, a plot that I have seen before, but wasn't executed as well as it could. 6.5/10.

Watch it for Jennifer Hudson's performance: she IS Aretha Franklin

[paul-allaer · 7/10 · 26 August 2021]

"RESPECT" (2021 release; 145 min.) is the latest bio-pic about Aretha Franklin. You may recall that earlier this year there was the 8 part TV mini-series "Genius: Aretha" which premiered in March, 2021, and while it wasn't bad, neither did it feel like it did full justice to the genius of Aretha. By then it was already well-known that a new bio-pic was being made starring none other than Oscar-winning Jennifer Hudson. In fact, in the last few years before passing away in 2018, Aretha herself had dared/blessed/encouraged Jennifer to play her. As the movie opens, we are introduced to 10 yr. Old Aretha, who is woken at night by her daddy to sing for a group of (mostly church) friends her parents are hosting for dinner. Aretha brings down the house, and before you know it, she is performing at church. In a clever montage, she starts singing "There Is A Fountain Filled With Blood", and young Aretha segues into adult Aretha....

Couple of comments: this movie is the feature debut for director Liels Tommy. She is best known for her work on Broadway. Here she makes the jump to the big screen, with a large production budget and an all-star cast fronted by Jennifer Hudson. The movie is quite good, although a bit slow at times. But the real reason for watching this is of course Jennifer Hudson, who brings a stunning performance. She really IS Aretha Franklin. As a consequence, even though the movie is not without flaws, "RESPECT" has now become the definitive Aretha Franklin biopic, period. I am already going on record that not only Jennifer Hudson will get a Best Actress Oscar nomination, but that she likely will be one of the, if not THE, frontrunner for that race.

As a complete aside, there is the original soundtrack of this movie, featuring Jennifer singing all those Aretha classics. Without the visuals of the movie, the soundtrack isn't nearly as compelling. But wait, there is a solution: in late July, a career-spanning and generous 4 CD box set (81 tracks; 310 min.) simply called "ARETHA" was released. Just like "RESPECT" is now the definitive Aretha Franklin biopic, "ARETHA" became the immediate, ultimate and definitive CD compilation. Bottom line: both "RESPECT" (the film) and "ARETHA" (the CD box) are a winner!

standard biopic of legend

[SnoopyStyle · 7/10 · 27 December 2021]

This is a biopic of legendary performer Aretha Franklin (Jennifer Hudson). Forest Whitaker plays her preacher father C. L. Franklin. Marlon Wayans plays his troublesome husband Ted White.

In the DVD extras, someone claims that this is not a standard cradle to grave biopic. In many ways, this is exactly that. It starts with Aretha as a child and goes to Aretha passing in real life. There is no doubt that Jennifer Hudson has all tools. She's not just a five tool player. She's an all tools player. The question is the very straight forward story telling. This seems to be a story begging to zero in on her 'demon'. A bit of imagination could turn that demon into a surreal character which first hounds her father, then her rapists, her husband, her alcoholism, and even MLK's murder. It's a suggestion. In an aside, the church finale should consists of the real Aretha footage. Again, this seems to be begging for that but maybe they didn't have the copyright. Director Liesl Tommy does transition to the aged Aretha singing Natural Woman which is really a second choice for me. This is a safe biopic starting with the very capable Hudson and the standard story telling.

Mostly bits and pieces

[educatexan · 5/10 · 14 August 2021]

The film was more of a collection of vignettes than a complete story. It felt very disjointed. Characters appeared and disappeared, and stories were left incomplete. It was difficult to determine Aretha's motives during life changes.

Brilliant film

[jasmineedwards-81601 · 10/10 · 12 September 2021]

I took my mum and sister to see this last night, A very good watch, we all thought it was well cast and well executed. Outstanding performance from Jennifer Hudson as expected.

A Respectful Summary Of Parts of the Queen's Reign

[rgkarim · 7/10 · 15 August 2021]

LIKES:

The Setting: A biography movie is all about immersing you in the experience and that involves making sure the setting is a window into the past. Respect accomplishes this beautiful, passing the decades not only in the houses that our heroine dwells, but in the city, culture, and style of our country's history. The revolving door of change is beautifully accompanied with fluid transitions, and a scenery that welcomes the drama and music and gives you an integrative touch that you sometimes don't realize you need

Documenting the Process: When you hear the stars talk about how hard it was to make their songs, do you ever wonder what inspiration and work went into the track? Respect copies what many movies do and gives you that look into the window of their creativity, showing you how Franklin's hits started to arise from motivational pieces that came before it. Seeing the stress behind it, the sources of her inspiration, and in particular the band dynamics that start to raise the music was my favorite part of the story and much like Bohemian Rhapsody I wanted to see more into her amazing musical mind.

The Dives Into Her Demons: Assuming there is some sense of truth in the movie, the personal life of Ms. Franklin was a much darker place than I realized. The movie does well to show the history of what led to her personal challenges, and why she made some of the choices that in this day and age would give many pause. Her early life is beautifully built in the forefront of the movie, and interwoven at key moments to fill those pieces of the puzzle. The early start of her career shows other afflictions and hinderances and what she went through this ordeal in both professional and personal. Then once the career starts, the dial goes up gradually to twelve, each notch increasing in a decent pace and really dropping you into each moment of the Queen of Soul's journey and that oomph helps you really get pulled into her music even further. Many of these moments felt very well needed, and I liked the dynamic and utilization of most characters to show just how included they were in her life.

The Musical Numbers: A musical bio needs the songs that made them famous to show off the talents of the artist. Respect has the numbers ready to go, and much like Rocket man in different venues to help give a little variety and looks at each facet of the presentation process. A studio number in one moment, becomes an apartment session in another, many finding the optimum moment to show the messages and impact that performance brought. It's a subtle story telling that adds another layer to the movie and many are the full performances, at least to start, which is a plus for me. Those costumes and setting pieces I talked about earlier are magnified in these moments and in a sense also amplifies the fun you'll have with this film as well.

The Acting: Ms. Franklin's lives was filled with a lot of people helping her through the battlefield she faced on multiple levels. Many members were integrated super well, and the cast did a brilliant job hitting each role to a T. Whitaker is still as incredible as he was in films like the Butler, playing her father and all the conservative principles he brought. His impact in her life was very loaded, and Whittaker captures all the attitudes, mannerisms, and passion that such a father represents. A job well done for his ability to accomplish this and how well he mixed with the rest of the group. McDonald hit her roles well when she was on screen, the elegance captured well in her postural presentation, while her more inspirational moments hold such emotion. Yet the star of the show is of course Hudson herself and the wonderful performance she gave in this film. While there are some notable differences between Franklin and her tone, Hudson studied much of the attitude, energy and air that the legend once held. She hits the song notes to a T, has the emotional fervor in those notes of raw passion and troubles, and even has the stage presence we saw in Franklin's recorded numbers. Off stage, her acting for the drama components has some bite to them as well, and shows an entirely different spectrum of skills that Hudson holds in her bag of skills. An Oscar worthy performance for sure, this is probably one of the biggest selling points of the film for me.

DISLIKES: Some facets of the story Incomplete: In the time span they showed the movie, I give them props for how much they got in on the life of Ms. Franklin. However, several of the stories were more like teasers, just enough to give you the impact and consequences, but also left bland and feeling hastily tied up. The dynamics with several of the characters, the fallout from several choices made, and even seeing more of her time in the Civil Rights were only hinted and given her contributions I would have liked to see more of these components.

The Pacing Inconsistency: Biographies are tricky to get the life and every moment just right, and still get the numbers in as well. Respect starts out so well, building into the moment and adding just enough song interruptions to keep you baited. Once the career starts the musical numbers start to appear a little more frequently, but still in a balanced manner that kept entertainment and drama in a nice dance of quality. Then the ending happens and that's when the momentum is interrupted and the balance is lost for me. Focusing more on the drama and build up to her legendary performance, the pace of the film suddenly drags, and I felt the movie starting to slug through instead of keeping that fun pace. As impacting as it was, I always find myself a bit more bored during the low points, just because of how much I miss the music piece of it. Thus, after such a moving and dynamic middle, to hit this sluggish end took points off for me.

Music Numbers Not Quite The spectacle: Bohemian Rhapsody and Jersey Boys showed us how one can recreate the numbers that had people's toes tapping and minds blown. Complete tracks with amazing choreography and the spectacle that made me feel like I had traveled back in time. And Respect starts to do this, and again some of those numbers are perfect for getting lost in the moment. Yet, the numbers are not quite as entertaining or coordinated and several ended a bit too abruptly when they were getting started. I would have liked to see more of her work presented in that full spectacle and really give the Queen's work the full respect it deserved.

Real Vs. Overdramatic?

Always something to try and decipher, the tale of Ms. Franklin is indeed one with a lot of questions regarding the true details that led to her life. Was the manager as bad as he was looked at? Did her father really have such a tight control to be the monster seen in the movie? Was the first label really that boring and limiting? Did she really have that many "adventures" to result in such a broken family? I don't know, but depending on your knowledge of her career, you might be wondering how much was amplified by Hollywood to get a spectacle.

The verdict: Respect is indeed an emotional roller coaster when it comes to the musical biography genre. It's got heart, history, and drama that is rich in culture and a portrayal of the Queen of Soul's journey to legendary status. Being pulled into each decade of life, getting all the facets and seeing those struggles present itself in so much variety gave a more complete picture that at first moved so well. With a fantastic actress to lead the cast that puts as much soul into the role as Ms. Franklin put into her music. The numbers as well really help add spirit to the movie and at times held just as much punch as the drama moments itself. Yet Respect suffers from pace inconsistency, leaving stories in the shallow end and some of the musical numbers incomplete. So much potential sort of lost in the timing, and maybe with a little more planning and pizazz the full effect could have been brought to light. Much like you have read before, the movie almost needed to be a miniseries, docuseries, or some extension, because more time would have given a wider spread to enjoy the life of the legend. My scores for this film are below, and my recommendation is to give this one a shot, but perhaps at home instead of the theater:

Biography/Drama/Music: 7.0 Movie Overall: 6.0.

This is No "Ray"

[dhill314 · 5/10 · 25 August 2021]

I have to be fair; these are different movies with different subjects, "Respect" attempts to follow the same format but fails. I saw the movie last night, and as most have stated, Jennifer Hudson's vocal skills are unquestionable. Her acting was satisfactory. The major problems of the film were casting, bad acting, and lack of flow. Forest Whittaker was fine, but Marlon Wayans attempt at bringing out his "Inner Ike Turner" was - almost laughable. I couldn't take him seriously, no matter how hard he tried. Also, the actor portraying Dr. King damn near had a handlebar mustache, that ain't right. The movie tried so hard to make the audience feel a certain way during scenes that it felt awkward. The ending appears as though it was an afterthought, "Just have her singing Amazing Grace and throw up a bunch of lifetime achievements..." In short, this movie could have been a parody of how to not make a bio-pic of a great musician. Where "Ray" set the standard, "Respect" hasn't earned it. Aretha Franklin deserves better, much better.

Too Much Of A Good Things Leads To This

[statuskuo · 6/10 · 18 August 2021]

Jennifer Hudson is stunning as the Queen of Soul. But let's not overlook Dakota Skye Turner who plays young Aretha with so much depth in her eyes that blow away all the adult performances.

Despite all that, the unfortunate thing, as most have mentioned is that it is bits and pieces of Aretha's life. Perhaps it is because she was so internal with her pain and told most of it in song. But it soon becomes a droning cliched trip until the next powerhouse tune Jennifer is to belt out. This is obviously on the same playing field as "What's Love Got To Do With It?" With the Ike Turner character played wonderfully by Marlon Wayans. Again....same road traveled. All which culminates in a spiritual re-awakening concert recorded live church service (which people may not know was attended by Mick Jagger).

All in all a very large scope film by director Liesl Tommy that duffers from too many directions and not one which encompasses the very complex woman.

To mention, a nice breathing light hearted moments with podcast celeb Marc Maron as Jerry Wexler. The catering record producer who saw the real genius at work. A nice respite from the heaviness of the flick.

Please get better directors

[trevorguru · 6/10 · 30 August 2021]

When you tell a story of a legend, give to someone who can handle. Example bryan singer, ridley Scott, please put more names on the comments

I'm so upset and mad...

Hell give to the lady who directored dirty dancing...

Respect

[CinemaSerf · 7/10 · 24 January 2023]

Much has been made of the late Aretha Franklin's choice of actress to portray her in this early career retrospective - but I wonder what she might have made of the rest of the cast? Jennifer Hudson is superb when she sings, she captures much of the range and vitality of Ms Franklin. Unfortunately, as an actress she fares a little less well, and coupled with a really mediocre supporting cast the film drags quite frequently. The chronology of the story is simple enough, depicting the transition from innocent young girl - a sort of vocal trophy for her father, woken up to enthusiastically perform to the great and the good at house parties - through her disputes with the same strongly willed father (Forest Whitaker) as she hooks up with 12-years older Ted White (Marlon Wayans) and starts her bumpy road to stardom. Maybe had there been more actual opportunity for Hudson to deliver more songs, then the film would have stood out more - but there is too much emphasis on the (frankly, occasionally quite horrifying) domestic problems that rather turn this into an authentic, but still rather uninteresting tale of drink induced family woes. Certainly, these go some way to explaining the gritty determination of the woman to succeed, but they are allowed a dominance in the film that after a while become a little bit cyclical, dull even. What is clearly evident is her pride in her race, but that was also inclusive - she worked with people based on their skills and abilities regardless of their colour - including the Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section - and that proves testament to a woman prepared to demonstrate a free thinking that was well ahead of it's time. Marc Maron works quite well as her long-suffering Atlantic records producer Jerry Wexler and Mary J. Blige turns in an interesting interpretation of a slightly temperamental Dinah Washington, but for the main it's all down to Hudson and she just needed to focus more on the wonderfully powerful portfolio of songs and less on the somewhat clunky drama. Stick around for the very end - there is a great "bonus track" from the lady herself.

Hudson shines

[gingerholl · 10/10 · 13 August 2021]

Jennifer Hudson and Forrest Whittaker give wonder performances. Liked this movie way more than I thought I would.

Jennifer Hudson gives a gobsmacking, Oscar-worthy portrayal of Aretha Franklin

[siddhunagar · 9/10 · 12 August 2021]

Jennifer Hudson for the longest time has been undermined as an actress and above all Underrated as a recording artist (despite being one of the best and having won plethora of accolades, but this is about to change with her astonishing portrayal of the Queen of Soul. Hudson so naturally inhabits the character, it's feels like it's Aretha on screen and not Jennifer. Apart from the obvious, that is JHud's brilliance, the rest of the cast is absolute 🔥, especially Forest Whitaker as Aretha's controlling and contradictory preacher father CL Franklin and Marlon Waynes, as her abusive first husband Ted White. The costumes and production design are literally out of the park brillant. I would conclude, by saying you just can't miss this brillant film.

Memorably, Hudson channels Franklin's charisma.

[JohnDeSando · 14 August 2021]

Aretha Franklin deserves a biopic as good as she was as "The Queen of Soul" and a sterling human being. Well, she has it all in director Liesl Tommy's Respect, a warm-hearted paean to the 18-time Grammy winner and multiple other honors including the highest civilian award from the president of the United States. As we have learned from the lives of storied singers, it wasn't easy.

Although some of Franklin's biography is the stuff of cliché, such as a domineering father, an abusive husband, and addiction to alcohol, Respect is an honest, straightforward recounting of these tropes with the exception that Franklin was a better human being than most icons and arguably more talented.

As Jennifer Hudson plays her, you cannot help but love her vulnerability, her willingness to please her audience and her men, her devotion to family, and her breathless talent. Hudson thankfully doesn't try to imitate Franklin so much as inhabit her, or channel her if you will, so that the slightly-long treatment of her youth and the first dozen or so professional years speeds by.

I long to see her in another recording session like the first at Columbia Records with a roomful of Southern jazz players helping her find her voice, her way to R & B royalty, albeit in the crucible of racist white men making her talent grow even stronger in her feminist, Black defiance, as inexorable as the civil rights movement itself.

For me, the film has fireworks every time she enters a session, even late at night in her home when she and her sisters massage Otis Redding's Respect into a world-class classic of her own.

Hudson should scoop up an Oscar nomination, not just because she catches Franklin's spirit but also because as a singer and actor, she is watchable on her own-her girl-next-door exterior, her sweet longing to ingratiate, her ambition to get "hits," and her singular ability to belt a song almost as electrifying as the queen herself does.

However, this biopic is an ensemble affair, and Forest Whitaker as her influential father, C. L., and Audra McDonald as her encouraging mother are successful representations of family and celebrity clashing. That Martin Luther King is a personal friend of her father and subsequently of her shows the dignity and power of father and daughter. Marlon Wayans as Aretha's first husband, Ted White, is an embodiment of the pencil-thin mustachioed, dictator-womanizing creep who shows up in so many of these biographies. Witness Mary J. Blige take over a scene as Dinah Washington.

Respect brings honor to one of our nation's greatest artists-see it in theaters to believe it and mostly feel its magnificence.

Not Sure It Does Her Justice

[damianphelps · 6/10 · 27 September 2021]

Firstly the movie is at least 45 mins too long.

Secondly due to the story lines they choose to follow Aretha comes across as an alcoholic neglectful parent?

The end credits summary paints her in a much better light?

I'm sure Oscars will be plentiful for this forgetful movie

[JMayDC · 3/10 · 20 August 2021]

I walked into this movie because I loved Aretha's music and her attitude. I walked out of this movie liking both less. The performances by the actors were good and I'm sure Hollywood will reward them come Oscar season, however the script is a mess. Hard to follow and nobody in the film came across as likable. I wanted to see something inspirational, how she rose above her problems. Didn't get that. There was hints of that at the end but only in the notes. I was really disappointed overall and found it a depressing movie.

If you don't know Aretha, this movie won't help

[fmatt99 · 7/10 · 30 August 2021]

While this director's version of the life of one of great entertainers of the 20th century did not give us a bad movie, she just didn't give us a very good good one either.

First, there is the issue of mis- casting runamuk: Say Marlon Wayons as first husband Ted White and Titus Burgess as gospel great James Cleveland. Forest Whitaker attempted to lend this biopic some credibility as one of several villains in the life of the Queen of Soul. But it just doesn't work.

Editing, scripting and directing have always made for great films. This is not one of them.

Despite the Soul filled efforts of star Jennifer Hudson this version of the Queen of Soul 's life left me quite bored.

I won't watch it again.

Respect

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 6/10 · 27 September 2021]

6/10 - overly long and it tries to cover too much of her life for one movie, but Jennifer Hudson brings it as the Queen of Soul who triumphed in life despite her countless adversities.

Biography of Aretha Franklin life

[wickham-08961 · 7/10 · 24 May 2022]

Really shows her struggles as a person and singer/songwriter. It was great to see the different relationships in her life and that she was such an advocate for black rights and not afraid. I wish theu showed more stuff in detail instead just having stuff assumed.

Hudson is great, movie is ho hum.

[JMH-Torrance · 6/10 · 4 July 2022]

Not a great movie but worth watching for Jennifer Hudson's performance if you can stay awake and you really love Aretha Franklin. My wife and I agreed the best part of the whole movie was at the end when they showed the Aretha's actual performance at the Kennedy Center Honors. It was the only time either of us was brought to tears.

This is indeed Great

[terryraywilliams · 10/10 · 9 September 2021]

I didn't know what to think when I learned that a movie was being made about Aretha Franklin. For one, I thought more time was required after her passing before this film would even be executed, but Aretha herself, decided that Jennifer Hudson would be suitable and capable of portraying her properly. With that said, it made more sense to make this film now instead of waiting. I came to appreciate the timeliness after I seen it.

Aretha is hands down the biggest female legend in the entertainment industry past or present. What she accomplished in her career has always astounded me. I read her book and now that I have seen this movie, she is owed tremendous admiration and praise. No film could ever duplicate her but in all honesty, this is as good as it is ever going to get. It would be wise to ignore the naysayers and see it for yourself. Kudos to the entire cast, they all knocked it out of the park.

In the past I went to the theatre to see the Bruce Lee movie Dragon on two separate occasions, it was that good. I'm sure I did the same thing with another movie or two along the way. However, Respect holds the distinction of being watched three different times at the movie house. I was totally drawn to it. Make no mistake, this film is great!

Give her some Respect 7/10

[saadanathan · 7/10 · 24 January 2022]

Aretha Franklin was and always will be the queen of soul for as long as we remember it.

Her inspiration and influence on music is noted till this day and music wouldn't have been the same without her. I remember the first time I've seen Aretha was back when I saw "The Blues Brothers", her "Freedom" singing sequence was remarkable and amazing.

As much as I love Aretha and biopic movies, the movie follows the same structure of every single biopic movie.

We've seen this type of biopic movie based upon a musician many times, it has been repeated a lot. We've seen the same type of biopics with "A Bohemian Rhapsody" and "Rocketman", (not to mention there are more incoming). So to have another biopic film over a musician is now considered a bald and repeated move. Only Time will tell when this move will be tiring.

Nevertheless, Jennifer Hudson knocked the role respectively and put on quite a performance. Forest Whitaker and Marlon Wayans are excellent rivals to the main character and show a great conflict.

The music is capturing and moving as always, it's gonna be stuck inside your heads for weeks.

Overall, even though Respect suffers from simplicity and lacks a little creativity. You got to watch it and enjoy the music. It's not the type of movie you skip so easily.