The incredible biopic, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is a fitting tribute to the iconic pop star, Whitney Houston. Star Wars’ Noami Ackie equally does a phenomenal job in portraying Houston.
Moreover, the film covers Houstons life from growing up in the shadows of her famous mother Cissy Houston to meeting her ex husband, R & B star Bobby Brown and ultimately developing the drug addiction which tragically was responsible for taking her life. It’s enough to draw viewers in and keep the captivated with both her iconic music and power story that she drew inspiration from.
Aside from Ackie who played Houston, the film also stars Stanley Tucci as Houston’s manager, Clive Davis, who truly embraced the emotion as he watched Houston rise to fame, as well as suffer as the people who were closest to her ultimately took advantage. Her ex husband, R & B star Bobby Brown, played by Moonlight’s Ashton Sanders equally used his powerful acting skills to create that of a controlling and dominating partner, who Houston eventually got the strength to pull away from. Lastly her mother, Cissy Houston, (played by soap star Tamara Tunie) provide the powerful field of a mother who used her powerful influence to drive her daughter to stardom.
All in all, at 2 hour 24 minute runtime, “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” is a power film and beautiful tribute to a awesome musical icon. Though there are moments which may have you enraged and wanting to cry for the pain that Houston suffered, it is definitely one that should not be forgotten. The film came out in theaters Christmas day and has already recieved at least one nomination for outstanding editing. It’s currently playing in a theater near you.