Jackson Booth-Millard
I had heard bits and pieces about this film previously, I knew it was about one the most famous popstars in the world, based on the autobiography "I, Tina", so I was looking forward to whatever it had to offer. Based on the true story, Anna Mae Bullock (Golden Globe winning, and Oscar nominated Angela Bassett) was born and raised in Nutbush, a small in Tennessee, she grew up in an unhappy family, with her parents leaving and abandoning her, and taking only her sister with them. Following the death of her grandmother, Anna Mae relocates to St. Louis, she reunites there with her mother Zelma Currie Bullock (Jenifer Lewis) and sister Alline (Phyllis Yvonne Stickney). Charismatic bandleader Ike Turner (Oscar and Golden Globe nominated Laurence Fishburne) performs with his band often at clubs and bars, Anna Mae watches him with awe, along with the many more screaming female fans, he spots her and is attracted, one night she gets the chance to express her talent for singing when she is brought onstage to join the act. Anna Mae pursues being a professional singer, winning her spot singing onstage with Ike, and he mentors her, in time an unexpected romance develops between them, and she eventually moves in with Ike. Shortly after they marry, they have two sons, and they begin having musical success, Ike gives Anna Mae the new stage name "Tina", because the name rhymed with the television character Sheena, as Ike and Tina Turner they produce many hits in the charts. As time passes however, the marriage turns sour, when Ike become physically violent and dominating towards Tina, she cannot find a way for herself to escape without disturbing her career. Tina rises to fame in St. Louis, and eventually spreading, becoming a rhythm and blues superstar, Ike grows increasingly jealous of the attention given to her. Ike turns to drugs, and his abusive behaviour gets worse, Tina seeks solace from her chaotic lifestyle, so a friend introduces her to Buddhism, this helps her gain confidence against her aggressive husband. Tina and Ike have a final fight, leaving her in a bloody state, but she finally musters the courage to defend herself, the police arrest Ike for domestic abuse, and she finally leaves him. In the divorce proceedings, Tina asks for no money, only the right to retain her stage name, she wins this right, she continues singing in clubs to get by, until she gets her break after meeting music producer Roger Davies (James Reyne). Tina realises her dreams of rock stardom, Ike attempts to win her back, reminding her that he is the one who found her and made her a star, but she shuns him and prevails, finding solo success and accomplishing her dreams, without Ike, Tina Turner is now recognised as one of the greatest female singers of all time. Also starring Vanessa Bell Calloway as Jackie, Khandi Alexander as Darlene, Rae'ven Larrymore Kelly as Young Anna Mae, Virginia Capers as Choir Mistress, Cora Lee Day as Grandma Georgiana, Sherman Augustus as Reggie and Terrence Riggins as Spider. Bassett gives an applaudable performance as the to-be singing superstar, with the real Tina dubbing her singing voice, but it is Fishburne deserves all the credit, including singing himself, the real Ike may have many faults and be considered nasty, but he put Tina in the spotlight. It is a very simple rise to fame story, the abusive marriage part of the story, when you consider it is real, can be hard to watch sometimes, but you are livened up by the great soundtrack of songs from Ike and Tina's repertoire, including "Proud Mary", "River Deep - Mountain High" and "What's Love Got to Do with It" , I'm surprised "The Best" was not featured, overall it is a most watchable biographical drama. Good!
nm2886780
Very inspiring through and through. Captivating from beginning till end. Angela was so good with her dancing, the way she walks, the way she talks was very believable that she was Tina Turner. THere was one scene in the studio when they were recording 'Nutbush City Limit' and she shout out 'I wrote it Ike' for a moment there I thought it was Tina saying that! So 2 thumbs up for Angela Bassette for attack this role right on. But she went too far with the working out, because I thought her muscles are way too big. Tina was never that big, she was tone but never that big. And the wig, I mean whoever is the hairstylist definitely didn't do their homework, because Tina TUrner does not have a stiff hear that sets straight up like the one in the scene at the Ritz. That was bad !
Adrienne Warren
When this movie came out, I was about one year old. When my sister and I were little the only scenes we were allowed to watch were the performance scenes. As time went on, they were the only scenes I remembered. As I got older, I began to have this sudden urge to watch this movie again (the VHS we had once owned had gotten lost somehow).On my 16th birthday, I was given this movie on DVD as a gift. I suddenly realized why I wanted to see this movie again, and it instantly became my favorite movie of all-time.'What's Love Got To Do With It' is the biopic of Tina Turner, mainly focusing on her turbulent marriage to Ike Turner. The acting is PERFECTION (Angela Bassett starred as Tina Turner, Laurence Fishburne starred as Ike Turner) and the entire movie was COMPELLING, CAPTIVATING, EXCITING, AND INSPIRING.Despite the fact that the two lead stars barely look like who they're portraying, and with a few 'unnecessarily altered' facts for dramatic effect, this movie is a must-see!
Kristine
I just happened to walk by What's Love Got To Do With It in the video store and remembered how much I wanted to see the movie, I am a fan of Tina's, have been since I could crawl. When I was 4 years old I would walk around with a walk man and sing out loud "What's Love Got To Do With It?", and my mom would laugh and she eventually told me when I got a little older what the song was about. I still blast and sing the song every time I hear it and understand it's power, afterwards, I wanted to read the book I, Tina and my heart was shattered for Tina and I just wanted to be like her and have her strength. Finally, I saw this film last night and I was blown away by such a terrific performance by Angela and Lawerence! They were truly amazing and made this film an incredibly biography.This is based on Tina Turner's life, mainly what happened between her and Ike, the utter and horrific abuse that ensued by Ike by his jealous rage of Tina's spotlight. Tina has only one friend by her side that truly defends her against Ike and Tina tries so hard to get away, but Ike won't let her. Finally, Tina has just had enough in an extremely emotional scene, they have a fight in the limo and Tina swings back at Ike finally! You just cheer and scream for her to leave and she finally gets what she truly deserved, the solo career and utter fame for being a truly gifted star.I have a feeling things were a bit exaggerated in the film, you know, the fights? But I think almost 25 years of an abusive marriage is hard to get into a 2 hour film, so they had to make you understand the pain Tina went through. Angela did a terrific job, one of the best performances I have ever seen in fact, I was just cheering for her in that limo! I cried and cheered for Tina, she is truly a remarkable woman and to understand that, please read the book and watch What's Love Got To Do With It.10/10
