Respect showcases Jennifer Hudson embodying Aretha Franklin with all the soul that lives in her, proving the testament to her talent and her deep “respect” for Aretha Franklin, especially as she was handpicked by Franklin herself before her passing. However, the biopic itself falls short of being truly exceptional. While it offers a glimpse into Franklin’s life and music, there’s not enough sparkle and dazzle that would elevate it to the status of a standout biographical film. Grading: B-

Great Movie!!! Highly Recommended!!! A++ 🍿🎥🍿

A good bio epic. It should include the cause of her demise

a must see for any serious music fan or student.

It absolutely deserves credit for being one of the few biopics that actually shows the process of the artist creating instead of just being stuck in perpetual montage mode. However, the movie still resorts to cliché when trying to move the story along which is rather frustrating.

Areta, through demons and musical genius

While not a perfect film, Jennifer Hudson gives a stellar performance as The Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. It's a rather long film that only covers her early years, which was surprising to me. However, the ending was nothing short of brilliant as Hudson completely channels "Ree" for a blistering performance of Amazing Grace. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Seen this once in theaters, and thought it would be a fun film, but it was dark than I thought it would be.

This is an excellent movie about a very talented artist such as MS. Franklin, the execution of it was well done that kept the story moving at a good pace. Jennifer Hudson's performance was fantastic; I forgot that she was the one on the screen at times. Overall, a great bio-film that has a touching and powerful ending.

RESPECT was watchable. Marlon Wayans did an amazing job portraying Aretha's first husband and about a quarter way through the film Jennifer Hudson snapped into a more believable Aretha. This wasn't one of Forest Whitaker's best performances, but he portrayed Aretha's over-protective—if not dotingly inappropriate, father well enough. Gilbert Glenn Brown was not a convincing Martin Luther King and his attempt at sounding like the great luminary was a bit painful to listen to. The best part of the movie was actually the end when I got to watch the real Aretha play piano to a packed auditorium in a full-length fur—so eccentric she was, and her performance for the Obamas while the former President ecstatically mouthed the lyrics as she sang. Her civil rights activism was duly highlighted as well as other prestigious achievements. The viewer will definitely walk away from this film with a little bit more RESPECT for this phenomenal songstress, activist and very strong woman of color.

Why the Academy did not nominate Jennifer Hudson is a complete travesty. She was absolutely amazing.

Great until the last hour that was dreadfully long and boring.

3.5 stars; It's interesting to know the story behind someone as successful as Aretha. To know what an influence (good and bad) her father had over her. It was hard for me to get my head around the family relationships. Jennifer Hudson gave quite a performance as the "Queen of Soul"!! The music was exellent and it took me back in time.

Overall, this is a heavy and dramatic story that focuses on the life and journey of Aretha Franklin. While the film gets many things right such as musical numbers, side characters performances, costumes and hair designs, the climax does drag on far longer than it needed to.  Thankfully, the film does deliver a touching and powerful finale.  The story focuses on specific details and generally ignores other aspects of Aretha and other character's lives that I was curious about. Either way, Respect is a touching and powerful story that I quite enjoyed witnessing and experiencing on the big screen.

Learn how to edit. Omg does this drag

By trying to be too respectful, the film fails its worthy subject with a by the numbers biopic.

It was a wonderful tribute to Aretha Franklin who was the queen of soul

The trend of creating biopics about legendary singers has skyrocketed in recent years, and Aretha Franklin has finally joined in. Respect touches on the turbulent life of the Queen of Soul, and while Jennifer Hudson did her justice in her performance, the end result is forgettable and mediocre at best. The film missed out on showcasing many of her best songs from after the 70s and ultimately focuses on too much hardship to be enjoyable.

I've recently seen the National Geographic show 'Genius' about Aretha Franklin and I have to say, that covers her life in a better way than I felt this film did. It seems to skip over some parts of her life and there are some telling things said but little in the way of context given to it (such as the fact she gave birth to her fathers child), which I felt was frustrating. Its a longish watch and not a really bad one, it has good performances and it certainly has decent musical performances but its nto a particularly stand out or memorable film as such. It has some good moments but its not quite what I'd call a particularly good film as such. It gives you a rough idea of the sort of personal/domestic issues she had but it just doesn't quite analyse them in enough detail for me to feel it fully did its subject matter justice somehow. Maybe I was spoilt having seen such a detailed show about her life a while before I saw this? I don't know. Credit to Jennifer Hudson for her acting and singing skills though, definitely. This is a good introduction to the life of Aretha Franklin but that's all, I'd say. I wouldn't entirely recommend this film really, no.

Respect begins with the early life of the queen of soul Aretha Franklin. Hudson with her invigorating performance . We take a look at her trials from her abusive overly jealous first husband. Her controlling permiscous father. Hudson's performance was truly believable. But lacked the dept of the true essence of the soulful Aretha Franklin.