"Whitney" (2018)

There was a time in American history where every American regardless of race or religion could agree on what good music was. And that was Whitney Houston.
She was a feel good pop force unleashed in the early 80's and tragically passed in 2012.
There is nothing about this movie that tells you anything new that you couldn't have read in some tabloid. Or Wikipedia. But, this is just so entertaining. The same theory I hold for stupid movies like "Pitch Perfect" that ride the coattails of catchy pop from bygone era, Whitney's tune are super addictive. And curiously, none of which she had written herself. She was a singer. Not a musician.
Thru her early days as a gospel singer under the watchful eye of former Aretha Franklin back up singer Cissy Houston, I learned a few new details I never researched back in the day. For instance, it's implied her father John Houston was a questionable New Jersey government employee. Let's say corrupt. Nothing new for Jersey. And that her shot to stardom was so fast, she barely had time to digest her popularity. It's never seen that she appreciated her fans, if not for one sentence...in the entire 2 hours 20 minute expose. The movie isn't...it's pretty superficial but really entertaining. I suspect this was purposefully done by director Kevin MacDonald. The typical tropes are here. "She was fighting her demons" "she trusted the wrong people" What isn't known...despite how much recorded conversation with her, is her own turmoil. You learn so much less about the true pain that haunted her. Only to see that it is rooted in her childhood (nothing new). Or her relationships with her closest family or friends who all seem to point fingers at one another.
Even more curious is an appearance by ex-husband Bobby Brown who squashes any real insight into Whitney's real hard drug or alcohol binges. You hate the bloated idiot now, but...there have been many accounts, he may have been more like everyone else who held onto the fame of Whitney.

Blessed with an amazing voice, some are gifted beyond this world. And as her career and life gets yanked from her, it's hard to know when she ever appreciated life. It leaves one with an awful empty feeling, probably the same as Whitney's full life. The cautionary tale you take from this...isn't really effective. It's hard when all we see is natural talent. Born talents don't seem as earned. Perhaps that's how she felt. Also, I find it uneasy that one of the producers on it also happened to be her former film agent (Nicole David). Seems even in death, people still wonder what they can bleed from her.