What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)

A film about the singer Tina Turner and how she rose to stardom with her abusive husband Ike Turner and how she gained the courage to break free.

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Tina Turner (book), Kurt Loder (book),

Stars:

Angela Bassett, Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly, Virginia Capers

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 4 wins & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Angela Bassett	...	Anna Mae Bullock / Tina Turner
Rae'Ven Larrymore Kelly	...	Young Anna Mae Bullock (as Rae'Ven Kelly)
Virginia Capers	...	Choir Mistress
Laurence Fishburne	...	Ike Turner, Sr.
Khandi Alexander	...	Darlene
Dororthy Thorton	...	Choir Member (as Dorothy Thornton)
Demetrice Cheathon	...	Choir Member
Nita Woods Allen	...	Choir Member
Helen Marie Lovelace	...	Choir Member
Natalie Wilson	...	Choir Member
Seymour Daniel Jr.	...	Choir Member
David McKinney	...	Choir Member
Jayd Stanfield	...	Choir Member
Maurice O'Neal	...	Choir Member
Frank Rasberry	...	Choir Member

Storyline

Anna Mae always had a special voice. Soon after arriving in St. Louis to live with the mother who had walked out when she was small, the now teenage Anna soon attracts the attention of pop group leader Ike Turner. She becomes the band's singer, his wife, and mother to his children - not all hers. In love with Ike and determined not to leave in the way her mother had, she finds herself the target of increasing violence from her unstable husband who can't see who is making the band such a success.

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Plot Keywords:

tina turner | singer | violence | abusive husband | love | 

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Taglines:

The Triumphant True-Life Story Of Tina Turner!

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for domestic violence, strong language, drug use and some sexuality

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

9 June 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tina

Filming Locations:

Ambassador Hotel - 3400 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£1,583,230 (UK) (15 October 1993)

Gross:

£3,420,933 (UK) (12 November 1993)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Jenifer Lewis, who plays Tina's mother in this film, originally auditioned to play Tina Turner. Lewis is only two years older than Angela Bassett, who plays Tina. Interestingly, when Ike first comes to the Bullock household, he asks Lewis to speak to Tina's mother as though the two women were sisters, which is closer to reality than film continuity.

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Goofs

When Ike and Tina are fighting at the pool, Ike's lips don't move as he shouts at her.

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Quotes

Ike Turner, Sr.: If you die on me, bitch, I'll kill you!

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Connections

Referenced in Joey: Joey and the Holding Hands (2006)

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Soundtracks

"Proud Mary"
Written by John Fogerty
Performed by Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne and Tina Turner

User Reviews

Memorable Performances For Intense Drama

Celebrity bio-pics are very hit or miss, but once in a great while a really good one comes along--and WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT is one of them. Based on the autobiography of Tina Turner, the film offers a glossy but intense portrait of her rapid rise to stardom under the sponsorship of husband-manager Ike Turner--a relationship that quickly turned dark and became increasingly abusive as Tina's fame began to outstrip Ike's own.

Although the film is a bit on the obvious side, it is well-crafted and the two leads offer powerhouse performances. Angela Bassett is simply astonishing as Tina Turner; where most other actresses might have simply imitated, Bassett accomplishes the impossible: she makes you believe that she is Tina Turner, capturing both Tina's famous on-stage performing style (the concert scenes are really exciting) and giving a completely believable interpretation of her off-stage personality as well. The script offers Laurence Fishburne little more than a one-dimensional role, but he plays it brilliantly from start to finish, and both are well supported by the overall cast.

There is certainly a great deal more to the lives of both Ike and Tina Turner than this film conveys--but what it does show it presents with considerable power and conviction, and by the time Tina finally hits back at Ike you'll be roaring for her to hit him again--and again--and again--and eager to see her finally triumph entirely on her own. Recommended.

Gary F. Taylor, aka GFT, Amazon Reviewer