DVD REVIEW FOR "WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT" (1993) (Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne) (R)
Length
Screen Format(s)
Languages
Subtitles
Sound
Sides
118 minutes
Letterbox (1.85:1)
English French
English
Dolby Digital 5.1
1
Plot: An autobiographical look at the life and times of singer Tina Turner from her early, happy days to the rough times with husband, Ike, and then on to subsequent, independent success (Parental review not available).
VIDEO:
(B) The overall look of this film’s visuals is a mixed bag, with some scenes looking good, while others aren’t so hot. First off, the picture often has a washed out look that, when coupled with having an overall color scheme that’s a bit too warm, gives the visuals a dated appearance. Granted the film is six years old, but that shouldn’t make too much of a difference, and its image clearly is not as sharp as it should be (a problem I seem to remember the laserdisc version of this movie also having).
Some compression-generated pixelation is present, most notably in shots of the sky, and is somewhat bothersome/distracting in several scenes while it’s not too noticeable in others. Some film artifacts (scratches and other "blips") are present, and several scenes – especially those set in concert venues – are too over-saturated in color (especially the reds that "bleed" onto the rest of the picture and overwhelm the object they’re coloring).
AUDIO:
(A+) The disc’s audio, however, sounds great. Featuring many of Turner’s songs – both new and old – and some fun ones featuring Ike in the early days, the audio is impressive. Beyond the songs, some limited, everyday sound effects and general dialogue make up the rest of the audio.
EXTRAS:
Scene selection/Jump to any scene.
Theatrical trailer.
COMMENTS:
A biographical look at the life and times of singer Tina Turner, this is a well-made, fascinating and at times harrowing examination of the legendary performer. While the tunes and recreation of the fabulous musical numbers and stage/concert performances are what immediately draw one’s attention, the thespian performances are what make the film a knock out.
With well-deserved Oscar nominations, both Angela Bassett ("How Stella Got Her Groove Back," "Strange Days") and Laurence Fishburne ("The Matrix," "Hoodlum") deliver exceptional performances as Turner and her progressively abusive husband, Ike. While Bassett lip-synchs to Turner’s original recordings, her performance, moves and mannerisms are dead-on, and her nearly imposing physicality easily mimics Turner’s. Meanwhile, Fishburne perfectly captures the yin-yang component of a man at once charming, and at others frighteningly abusive.
Based on the book, "I, Tina," by Turner and Kurt Loder, and as directed by Brian Gibson (who later went on to direct the 1970s-based, dinosaur rock reunion comedy, "Still Crazy"), the film is not only highly entertaining (despite the occasionally ugly, but riveting moments), but also showcases the endurance of the human spirit. That’s a nice complement for this film that’s highly recommended.
As far as the disc’s A/V components, the image quality is somewhat of a disappointment and doesn’t look much better than what the laserdisc version (which didn’t look that great in its own right) had to offer. The music, of course, sounds great. While the film itself offers an informative (if possibly not entirely accurate portrayal of Turner), more info on her (whether via her or Loder’s audio commentary) would have been a nice supplemental feature.
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