Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody (2022) * *

Directed by:  Kasi Lemmons

Starring:  Naomi Ackie, Stanley Tucci, Tamara Tunie, Nafessa Williams, Clarke Peters, Ashton Sanders

This is not a documentary about the legendary, tragic singer Whitney Houston, but a superficial biopic which features a game Naomi Ackie as Houston and an always engaging Stanley Tucci as Clive Davis, who serves as not just the owner of Whitney's record label, but as a mentor and collaborator.   The movie manages to touch on the highlights and lowlights of Houston's career and life with style but not a lot of insight.   There is plenty to process, including the singer's little-known lesbian relationship with Robyn Crawford (Williams) which was forced to end by Houston's father John (Peters), who runs her business affairs like his own personal cash register.   John believes Whitney should maintain a wholesome image and be interested in men.   How exactly did this all turn out?  The movie sidesteps it and never truly explains Whitney's relationship with Robyn going forward.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody begins in 1983 Newark with Whitney as a backup singer to her famed mother Cissy's (Tunie) band.   Her voice soared above the others in the church choir and soon Whitney is performing with Clive Davis in the audience (after Cissy faked a sore throat).   Faster than you can say "Whitney Houston", Whitney is signed to a contract and her career was born.   The best scenes in the movie involve the quiet discussions between Clive and Whitney.   Whitney wasn't just a commodity, but someone Clive cared about.   When Whitney descended into drugs, Clive pulls her aside in an attempt to help her kick the habit.   The movie touches on, but doesn't dive deep into Whitney's rise to her record-breaking run on the charts, The Bodyguard, her relationship and subsequent destructive marriage to Bobby Brown, and the live performance on the 1994 American Music Awards (which opens and closes the film) which would be the zenith of her career.

Ackie sings the songs and has a wonderful voice.   The performances work, but the movie itself doesn't fully delve into Whitney's story with any depth.   A lot happened to Whitney in her 48 years before her sad end in a bathtub in Los Angeles.   A deep, engrossing biopic can be made about the legendary singer, but I Wanna Dance with Somebody isn't it.