A documentary presenting Aretha Franklin with choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in January 1972.
From metacritic.com
If you want to continue to explore the fascinating world of "WandaVision," we have you covered with some inspired recommendations.
Related News
-
Remembering Michael Apted by Anne-Katrin Titze, Timothy Greenfield-Sanders
12 January 2021 | eyeforfilm.co.uk -
Michael Apted, director of ‘Up’ doc series and ‘The World Is Not Enough’, dies at 79
08 January 2021 | ScreenDaily -
Michael Apted Dies: ‘7 Up’ Documentarian & ‘Coal Miner’s Daughter’ Director Was 79
08 January 2021 | Deadline
User Lists
Related lists from IMDb users
Share this Rating
Title: Amazing Grace (2018)
Want to share IMDb's rating on your own site? Use the HTML below.
2 wins & 13 nominations.
See more awards »
Edit
Cast
Edit
Plot Summary
|
Add Synopsis
Storyline
A documentary presenting Aretha Franklin with choir at the New Bethel Baptist Church in Watts, Los Angeles in January 1972.
Taglines:
The voice of a legend. The performance of a lifetime.Parents Guide:
Add content advisory for parents »
Edit
See more »
Written by Herman Lubinsky (as AM Brunner)
Performed by Aretha Franklin
See more »
Did You Know?
Trivia
20 hours of footage were shot by five 16mm-cameras on two days. See more »Quotes
Rev. Cleveland: The next song needs no introduction. The other day in rehearsal Aretha began to sing it, and when she got to the part that says, "Through many dangers," I looked over at her and saw the tears rolling out of her eyes. 'Cause never did we think, I think, twenty years ago, that God would do great things for us.See more »
Crazy Credits
The film concludes with a 1972-era Warner Bros. ending card, even though WB technically no longer has any ties to the film, to suggest how it would have played out had the project been completed and released when initially intended. See more »Soundtracks
Old LandmarkWritten by Herman Lubinsky (as AM Brunner)
Performed by Aretha Franklin
See more »
Frequently Asked Questions
This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
Edit
Edit
See more on IMDbPro »
See full technical specs »
Details
Country:
USALanguage:
EnglishRelease Date:
5 April 2019 (USA) See more »Also Known As:
Amazing Grace See more »Edit
Box Office
Opening Weekend USA:
$57,353, 9 December 2018Gross USA:
$4,450,456Cumulative Worldwide Gross:
$7,796,112Company Credits
Show more on
IMDbPro »
GRADE: C+
THIS FILM IS MILDLY RECOMMENDED.
IN BRIEF: A wonderful musical performance lost in a woefully patched-together film.
JIM'S REVIEW: In 1972, director Sydney Pollack recorded a young, gifted, and black Aretha Franklin in an intimate concert. The Queen of Soul decided to become The Queen of Gospel for her next album. Recorded over two nights at the New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles before a live audience, the director filmed over 20 hours for his concert film (which never saw the light due to technical issues with the film's synchronization.) However, the results from the concert performances weren't lost, as the audio tapes soon became the most successful gospel album of all time, Amazing Grace.
Today, that film footage is not lost either in the latest documentary given the same moniker. Filmmaker Alan Elliott took the archival footage and reworked the film stock by the late Mr. Pollack to allow today's moviegoing audience to experience this musical event. The result is decidedly mixed, vocally strong and inspiring, but visually lacking in quality and emotion. Technically the film has a grainy unprofessional quality and the editing by Jeff Buchanan quite pedestrian, although I imagine it must have been a arduous task. The subject is always compelling, it's the execution that is underwhelming. (The Franklin family tried unsuccessfully to prevent the film's distribution, but it remains a fascinating glimpse into this mega-star, despite the rough cut look of the documentary.)
Nevertheless, there she is. Miss Aretha in her glory, serving it up to her Lord, herself now resurrected on the big screen. The euphoria of that evening is contagious with Rev. James Cleveland as the gregarious emcee and host, Alexander Hamilton as the energetic choir master, and the Southern California Community Choir as Franklin's harmonious back-up group reacting in complete abandon. (Mike Jagger, as an audience member, certainly enjoyed himself as well.)
While the documentary is a lasting chronicle of one of the most talented musical icons, the concert itself offers little insight or depth about this legendary performer's life and persona. Ms. Franklin says very little throughout the proceedings and shares none of her inner thoughts or opinions with her audience. She sings on rote, a musical powerhouse taking centerstage, yet her personality is lost to her musical selections. The voice remains a phenomenal instrument, but the performance is stunted due to her inability to communicate between numbers. She performs nearly a dozen inspirational songs, which, grew a tad monotonous for this reviewer. Her substantial talent almost made this agnostic into a believer, but not quite.
For die-hard Aretha fans, this film is a must-see. (That's you, Wolfgang!) Others may be slightly bored by the actual concert, although the audience reaction during the performance is highly entertaining and Ms. Franklin vocal demands are met. Still, one also wishes the filmmakers dealt more directly with the concert and its aftermath. Perhaps interviews with members of that 1972 audience and their personal memories could have added more exposition to the event.
Amazing Grace gives Aretha much R-E-S-P-E-C-T in celebrating her musical talents. The documentary certainly captures the rhythm, but it misses the mark in delving into her soul.