What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)

The story of singer Tina Turner's rise to stardom and how she gained the courage to break free from her abusive husband, Ike Turner.

Director:

Brian Gibson

Writers:

Tina Turner (book), Kurt Loder (book)

Stars:

Angela Bassett, Laurence Fishburne, RaéVen Kelly

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 13 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
RaéVen Kelly	...	Young Anna Mae (as Rae'Ven Kelly)
Virginia Capers	...	Choir Mistress
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
Monroe Howard	...	Choir Member
Serist Roberts	...	Choir Member
Wakeen Best	...	Choir Member

Storyline

Anna Mae Bullock 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 Mae 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:

african american singer | african american woman | 1980s | african american protagonist | female protagonist | 

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Taglines:

Not just the story of a life - The movie of a lifetime.

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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:

25 June 1993 (USA)

Also Known As:

What's Love Got to Do with It

Filming Locations:

Warner Grand Theatre - 434 W 6th St, San Pedro, California, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$39,100,956

Company Credits

Production Co:

Touchstone Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

118 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital (Dolby 5.1)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Vanessa Bell Calloway, who plays Jackie, the friend and former Ikette who shares Buddhism with Tina, was wary of chanting the Buddhist words because of her strong Christian faith. Director Brian Gibson allowed her to mouth the words silently during taping, and added the words with a voice double in post-production.

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Goofs

Ike gives Zelma a $100 bill that was first printed in the 1990s.

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Quotes

Judge: I want you to be very sure about this. This means you're gonna walk out of here with absolutely nothing.
Tina Turner: Except my name. I'll give up all that other stuff, but only if I get to keep my name. I've worked too hard for it, your honor.
Ike Turner, Sr.: The name is mine. The name got my daddy's blood on it. If she wanna go, she can go wherever she wanna go, but the name stays home!

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Connections

Referenced in Fled (1996)

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Soundtracks

Rock Me Baby
Written by B.B. King (as Riley King) and Joe Josea
Performed by Tina Turner

User Reviews

Excellent story of Ike and Tina,,,, and then Tina Turner.

I really loved Ike and Tina Turner. then I got to love Tina Turner. I remember I was so sad way back when they split up but,,... after seeing this movie SO SO,,, many years later, I see why. Maybe Ike was a driving force for the group, but Tina made it happen and as far as I can tell, Ike didn't like that he was then along for the ride... and couldn't accept it. It is Too bad he didn't know/or understand at the time what was or would've been best for for his kids and himself. Famous or not, til people understand it's FAMILY that matters, nothing will ever be right. I know this is a Hollywood-ish type-style movie, but I'm proud Tina did what she has done for herself, and I'm glad I got to grow up Knowing Both Ike and Tina, and then Tina Turner.... This is...history in the making.