Michael Green

Excellent cast, great story, and wonderful performance by Hudson. If you loved Aretha you may be a bit disarmed by the personal revelations about the arduous journey this musical genius took to become the Queen of Soul. From childhood pregnancy to family squabbles to the terrible men in her life, and eventually, the alcoholism that nearly broke her. It's a long story that unfolds with tons of detail. I suppose we should be happy that such a faithful, candid retelling has been told, but more than once the pacing of the film was sacrificed for the minutia. As the film concludes we see Aretha return to her beginnings as a Gospel singer whose life was saved by her return to her Baptist roots. It's a satisfying full circle that's laid on pretty thick, and almost worth the wait. But please, watch it and enjoy the music. And hang on for a live performance of Natural Woman by the Queen herself as the credits roll next to stills from her illustrious career.