VividSimon Simply Perfect

Stometer Save your money for something good and enjoyable

VeteranLight I don't have all the words right now but this film is a work of art.

Marva It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

jc-osms I've never been a fan of Whitney Houston and would probably admit that my least favourite song of all time is her nostrils-flaring, overblown version of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You". In my opinion too she also helped usher in a whole train of over-singing, pretentious divas like Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Britney Spears et.al whose too-perfect voices exhibit all the emotion and soul of a fridge. But you don't have to be a fan to be interested in her tragic life story, which like other pop icons of the era, like George Michael, Prince and Michael Jackson saw her life end way too early.This documentary purports to tell her life story as she's groomed from being the talented young daughter of tough-mum, gospel singer Cissy Houston and her doting dad into the all-conquering pop star of the mid 80's with an entourage that would put Elvis Presley to shame. Inevitably and sadly, it seems clear to me that these self-interested hangers-on, including her temperamental party-loving husband, R and B singer Bobby Brown, childhood best friend and P.A. Robyn and by the end, even her old dad are clearly milking Whitney the cash cow for all they can get even while professing undying love and devotion to her. With friends like these, as the saying goes...Houston herself comes off as a talented kid flung into superstardom too early, struggling to cope with, as she says herself, the fame that it brings. It certainly doesn't help that none of her nearest and dearest, from her unnaturally cold mother, to bad-influence hubby Brown seem to either know or care that she's spiralling downwards out of control and even the presence of her young daughter Bobbi, whose life also ended in similarly tragic circumstances a few years later, couldn't turn Whitney round.Much of the film footage seems to derive from an access-all-areas tour of the singer's in 1999, still a long time from her eventual death in 2012, but even then the signs of strain and her addiction to drugs are becoming evident. It's sad to compare the wide-eyed stardom of the still-clean young girl just embracing stardom with her much older run-down later self trying to cope with her own life style. For me the most shocking image was that of the detritus of the drug-taking paraphernalia in the dressing room of the hotel room where she died in her bathtub. Naturally everybody here only has words of adoration for her singing ability with one of her acolytes equating her voice to being like "God in the room" and yet she struggled to gain acceptance from her black audience who considered her sound too pop, by which of course they mean too white - as witness their booing of her at an awards ceremony, prompting her to go more R and B with future albums which failed to hit the commercial heights of her earlier releases.As the demises of the other superstars mentioned above makes only too clear, it truly does seem to be lonely at the very top and even if I left this movie appreciating Whitney Houston's music not one bit more, I certainly felt some sympathy for the waste of a young talent, long before its time.

Sober-Friend There is not much new that is revealed in this documentary. What is new is the fact its brought to our attention that Cissy Houston was a terrible mother! Cissy, you & Whitney would perform at Gay Bars (When Whitney Was Young) and yet you despised gay people because "Against God". So is divorce yet you had one. Drx before marriage BINGO that's against God as well. What troll you are Miss Cissy. Gay dollars were fine but we "Are going against God". Your foolish belief cost you not only your daughter but your grand daughter. It also seems no matter who "Whitney Loved" you were always against it. I think you were mad every time Whitney sold another record.Long before Whitney Married Bobby she was rumored to have a girlfriend and her new name is front and center in this documentary. Sad that Whitney felt forced to be straight because of her jealous mother made her life hell. I said years ago "Stop Blaming Bobby". Whitney's problems started long before he came along. Its just too to know what happened not only to Whitney but her daughter as well!

WilliBerg I saw this at the Sydney Film Festival where both showings for this documentary were sold out.The documentary is a mixed bag. It is at times insightful, at times exploitative and sensationalist, and at other times thrilling to see Whitney performing in concert and seeing her backstage.There are a few concert footage songs and they are amazing! Even Whitney singing in her hotel room is amazing. This is footage from her 1999 "My Love Is Your Love" tour, showing concert and backstage footage, and life on the road with some of her crew, including husband Bobby Brown and her best friend Robyn Crawford. This glimpse into her life is interesting and gives some rare insight.The rest of the film is largely interviews with people who worked with Whitney, such as her bodyguard, hairdresser, and band members etc., and it is spliced with footage that Whitney fans most likely have already seen but others probably haven't.The documentary wouldn't be much without the concert footage and it is lucky to have it. That is where we see and hear Whitney's music. The most interesting part is actually seeing Whitney. Other footage they could get of Whitney is from shows like MTV or the American Music Awards.The talking head interviews are with people who knew Whitney and they provide their own opinions. They are ultimately their own opinions. It is up to the viewer to decide whether they believe them or not. But they did work with and know Whitney to some extent. Their opinions range from their thoughts on her husband Bobby, to her sexuality, to her family, and to drugs.The cinema audience I was with applauded at the end.The most I got out of it was the concert footage performances, what there was of it. It was fantastic to see and hear on the big screen. I could've watched 2 hours of that.I do feel I have more of an idea of Whitney and her life as an artist and public figure after watching this. Ultimately, though, what stays with you is the music. The performances. Whitney.

cre0420 Being a big fan I could not wait to watch this special. But it was anything but special. From the moment it starts it is a man talking about Whitney Houston's life and achievements with photos of her flashing in the background. If you have ever watched TV or picked up a magazine then you already know everything this show has to offer.