Aretha Franklin biopic deserves a bit of ‘Respect’

Above : The Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” opens Friday. (Photo/MGM Pictures)

After the release of the 2018 documentary “Amazing Grace,” it was only a matter of time before somebody was going to jump on the chance to make an Aretha Franklin biopic.

And one is coming on Friday. Titled “Respect,” and directed by Liesl Tommy (and based on a screenplay written by Tracey Scott Wilson), it stars Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Hudson as the late soul singer Franklin (who died in 2018 at age 76).

It’s not the only film opening at the area’s mainstream theaters, though. The week’s lineup looks to be as follows:

“Respect” : Beginning in 1952, when Franklin was just 10 years old, Tommy’s film explores the singer’s life, her troubles and her triumphs.

Washington Post critic Ann Hornaday wrote, “Franklin reportedly handpicked Hudson to play her in the movie of her life, and no wonder: Hudson’s turn in ‘Respect’ is the kind of creative – even spiritual – mind-meld that sends a chill down the spine and a catch to the throat.”

“Free Guy” : Ryan Reynolds stars as an NPC (a videogame Non-Playing Character) who is recruited by a game designer ( Jodie Comer of “Killing Eve”) to foil the efforts of a software mogul (Taika Waititi) to steal her work. His gradual evolution into self-awareness provides Reynold with a lot of comedic turns.

USA Today’s Brian Truitt wrote, “ ‘Free Guy’ is a big, warm hug of a movie with plenty to love, even if you’re not super into bubble gum ice cream, swing sets and vintage Mariah Carey like Ryan Reynolds’ goodhearted title character.”

“Don’t Breathe 2” : Steven Lang stars as the same character as the 2016 original, a blind guy who though now supposedly a changed man reverts to his old self when his new life is threatened by a second set of home invaders.

No reviews are available for the film, never a good sign. It was directed by a first-time feature filmmaker, the Uruguayan Rodo Sayagues.

That’s all for the moment. I’ll update as the week progresses.