Based on Lifetime's recent track record with biopics, "Whitney" didn't inspire much confidence, especially with "Directed by Angela Bassett" seemingly being all the network could muster to promote it. But what emerges is a surprisingly compelling if decidedly constricted take on the singer's life, focusing squarely on her relationship with Bobby Brown, and ending well before her untimely death at age 48. Mostly, the whole exercise benefits from the radiance of Yaya DaCosta (seen in "Lee Daniels' The Butler") in the title role, who brings a star quality to the thin material worthy of the artist she portrays.
"Time to be Whitney Houston," the pop diva, then 26, says as she exits a limo to attend an awards show as the movie begins, where she meets Bobby (Arlen Escarpeta). Before you know it, they're engaging in sexual acts that tiptoe up to the boundaries of basic cable, and he's talking about a long- term commitment.
Her family, however, responds to the news of their engagement with a decided chill, put off in part by the children Brown has already fathered with other women. And the duo's love for each other is further tested by her overwhelming stardom, to the point where a former fling dismissively refers to Brown as "Mr. Houston," and Houston's record mogul Clive Davis (an unrecognizable Mark Rolston) invites Bobby in to talk - not to sign him to the label, as Bobby hopes, but rather to enlist Brown to help prod his wife to get back to work.
Publication information: Article title: 'Whitney' Hits High Notes. Contributors: Lowry, Brian - Author. Magazine title: Variety. Volume: 326. Issue: 14 Publication date: January 14, 2015. Page number: 81. © Penske Business Media. Provided by ProQuest LLC. All Rights Reserved.