What’s Love Got to Do with It? (1993)

Directed by: Brian Gibson | 118 minutes | drama, biography, music | Actors: Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, Rae’Ven Kelly, Virginia Capers, Khandi Alexander, Jenifer Lewis, Phyllis Yvonne Stickney, Sherman Augustus, Chi McBride, Terrence Riggins, Rob LaBelle, Vanessa Bell Calloway

The life of a pop star is often not a bed of roses. Just ask Tina Turner. The singer, born in 1939 in Nutbush, Tennessee as Anna Mae Bullock, has had to endure a lot in her life. The causer of the most evil was her husband Ike, the man who discovered her and brought her to the top. He couldn’t bear the fact that his wife was more popular and successful than himself and Tina had to pay for that. The biographical film ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ tells the turbulent life story of the singer and focuses in particular on the problematic relationship between Ike and Tina. An energetic, intense and impressive film that you will not soon forget.

‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ follows Tina’s life from the late 1950s to the early 1980s. In the prologue of the film, we see that little Anna Mae (Rae’Ven Kelly) already in Nutbush’s church choir has a more powerful voice than the other children. A few years later she sees Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne) performing in St. Louis. She is immediately impressed by his smooth charms and is invited on stage by him. From that moment on, the singing career of Anna Mae (Angela Bassett), who is renamed Tina Turner by Ike. Full halls, gold records and the accompanying bags of money; then try to keep your cool. Ike loses herself in drugs, other women and violence, and Tina is the victim of that. The abuse continues to get worse and her friends advise her to leave him. Will Tina be able to leave the man who brought her so much success but now turned into her worst nightmare and start over?

The film is based on the autobiography ‘I, Tina’, which the singer wrote together with Kurt Loder and which was scripted by Kate Lanier. British director Brian Gibson had previously proved that he could handle the life stories of strong women with ‘The Josephine Baker Story’ and is doing so again with ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’. Biographical films can quickly degenerate into a soggy drama in which the star is praised. But this film is brimming with heady energy and passion, just like Turner himself. This is largely due to the dazzling music scenes. Bassett doesn’t sing herself, but is so convincing in her playback – including the facial expression, sense of rhythm and choreography – that you don’t realize for a moment that it’s not her voice you hear. Bassett is Tina. Fishburne does sing by the way.

Both actors play their roles very convincingly and were nominated for an Oscar for a reason. Bassett had strong competition in the person of Emma Thompson (“The Remains of the Day”) and the later winner Holly Hunter (“The Piano”), but had definitely earned the coveted statue. In her powerful role, she has taken on all of Tina Turner’s signature traits, including the effervescent energy. Bassett is by far the best dark-skinned actress in Hollywood and it’s a shame that her qualities are underutilized. Laurence Fishburne also missed the Oscar (which went to Tom Hanks for ‘Philadelphia’). He’s on a roll as Ike Turner, a man of infinite charm who turns into an insufferable junkie with loose hands. He is much more than the “evil husband” because he knows how to bring depth to his character. The intense scenes between the two protagonists, especially the one where Ike tries to impose his will on Tina, are intense and realistic and grab you by the throat.

Add to that the fact that the film really breathes the atmosphere of the sixties and seventies. Not only because of the music, the clothes and hairstyles, but also the opinions and attitudes of the characters. Director Gibson picks out exactly the right, telling aspects from that time. He also allows the story to pass the viewer at the right pace, so that it does not become long-winded for a moment. You really don’t have to be a fan of Tina Turner to appreciate this movie. But those who are not will probably be impressed by her strength, courage and perseverance after seeing the film. ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ is a strong biographical film that you really should see. If only because of the sublime performances by Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne.