What's Love Got to Do with It? Movie Review 1993

Energetic biopic of powerhouse songstress Tina Turner. Short sequences cover her early life before moving into her abusive relationship with Ike and solo comeback success. Bassett may not look like Tina, but her exceptionally strong performance leaves no question as to who she's supposed to be, even during on-stage Tina sequences. Some credibility is lost when Turner is shown in the final concert sequence--Gibson would have been wise to let Bassett finish what she started. Fishburne is a sympathetic but still chilling Ike, rising to the challenge of showing both Ike's initial charm and longtime cruelty. Based on "I, Tina" by Turner and Kurt Loder.

Distribution

Buena Vista Home Entertainment, 500 S. Buena Vista St., Burbank, CA 91521-1120, Toll-free: 800-723-4763, URL: http://www.bvhe.com

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 118 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Musical Drama, Women, Adapted from Memoirs or Diaries, Domestic Abuse, Price of Fame, True Stories, Showbiz Dramas, Biopics: Musicians, African America

Screenplay

Kate Lanier

Cast

Angela Bassett, Laurence "Larry" Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jenifer Lewis, Phyllis Stickney, Khandi Alexander, Pamela Tyson, Penny Johnson, Rae'ven (Alyia Larrymore) Kelly, Robert Miranda, Chi McBride, Damon Hines

Cinematography

Jamie Anderson

Director

Brian Gibson

Music

Stanley Clarke

Producer

Doug Chapin, Barry Krost, Roger Davies, Mario Iscovich, Touchstone Pictures, Buena Vista

Awards

Golden Globes 1994: Actress--Mus./Comedy (Bassett); Blockbuster 1995: Female Newcomer, V. (Bassett).