September 2021 - Film

Welcome All!

September Movie Pick:

Following the rise of Aretha Franklin’s career from a young child singing in her father’s church’s choir to her international superstardom, "Respect" is the remarkable true story of the music icon’s journey to find her voice and become the Queen of Soul.

“Respect” succeeds in doing exactly what is expected of it. You may argue with this or that filmmaking choice and regret its overly smooth edges, but it does give you a sense of Franklin as a historical figure, a crossover success story and a full-throttle, fur-draped diva. (As a mother, she remains M.I.A.) Mostly, it gives you her music, with its passion and power, lyricism and schmaltz. Long after they fell off the charts, these are songs that light you up — with feelings, memories — when you hear them. You sing along with them in your head and, after the credits roll, you keep on singing (and murdering) them.