While strolling through streaming platforms this weekend, I stumbled upon ‘Respect’ (Liesl Tommy, 2021) on BBC iPlayer. In 2021, despite not having a big marketing campaign, it garnered attention with some nominations in the following year. However, this seemingly modest reception doesn't do justice to the film—a biopic of none other than the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin. In 2022, she would have celebrated her 80th birthday if alive and 50 years of her best-selling album.
"Respect" chronicles Aretha Franklin’s journey from childhood to the pinnacle of success with "Amazing Grace" (1972). It unveils her early exposure to music within the embrace of her parents, both gospel singers and civil rights activists. Her home resonated with music, featuring the presence of legends like Ella Fitzgerald and Dinah Washington, alongside her ultimate idol – her mother. The influence of Sam Cooke's sound was evident, but it was Clara Ward who played a central role in shaping her musical path.
Aretha learned to play the piano by ear, and her powerful voice, a true gift, was nurtured with a little guidance from James Cleveland. However, her path was far from easy. Her parents' divorce, fuelled by her father's infidelities and temperament, marked a tumultuous period. The scars deepened with a traumatic experience of sexual assault, leading to an unwanted pregnancy at the tender age of 12. Amidst these challenges, her world was further shaken by the untimely death of her mother.
Colours play a significant role in the biopic, harmonizing with the moments portrayed. Aretha Franklin makes her debut on the big screen at a young age, likely around 10. In her initial scene, she dons a white sleepwear, symbolizing innocence, purity, and virginity. Shortly thereafter, her attire transitions to pink, embodying femininity, and girlhood, and subsequently to blue, evoking a sense of melancholy. It's noteworthy that these colours are presented in pastel shades, indicating the childhood element.
The tones of her mother’s costumes, primarily red and blue. Red, a symbol of danger, resonates with her marital experiences. Additionally, red signifies power, aligning with Aretha’s perception of her mother, depicted as a feminist ahead of her time, embracing notions of consent and independence. While blue represents her as a serenity source to Aretha.
Transitioning to Aretha’s adolescence in the 1960s, the narrative pays homage to the revolutionary decade, highlighting the adage that an apple does not fall far from the tree. Music remains a pivotal aspect of her life, running parallel to her advocacy for civil rights alongside Martin Luther King. The sequence opens with her clad in a yellow costume, symbolizing hope for the change to come.
A pivotal moment arises when she encounters Ted White, a local producer, becoming the apple of his eye. Significantly, she wears red, the colour of romance, danger, and power, reflecting the dynamics of their relationship. Despite her father's lack of support, a surprising meeting at Columbia Records, then paving its reputation in the music industry with rock n roll, transpires. In this moment, she dons golden yellow, reminiscent of the stars. This marks the inception of her career with a contract to record jazz standards, as New York becomes the epicentre of the burgeoning music genre.
In January 1961, Columbia released Franklin's inaugural album, “Aretha: With the Ray Bryant Combo.” The album showcased her debut single, "Won't Be Long," which not only charted on the Billboard Hot 100 but also reached number 7 on the R&B chart. Despite this early success, subsequent albums failed to produce a definitive hit for Aretha.
Behind the façade of a successful woman lies a tale of impediments orchestrated by others. In her quest, she endeavours to honour Dinah Washington's advice, urging her to diversify her musical horizons and acknowledging their predecessor, Billie Holiday. Simultaneously, Aretha grapples with a forbidden romance and a domineering father. Red continues to be a recurring colour in her life, mirroring the legacy of her mother. Her journey towards emancipation, both in personal expression and musical freedom, unfolds through her marriage to Ted White, who also assumes the role of her manager.
After nine albums with no substantial success, Columbia Records severed ties with Aretha Franklin. Ted White, her husband and manager, orchestrated a new chapter by securing a deal with Atlantic Records, an influential label renowned for shaping the careers of iconic artists such as Ray Charles and Otis Redding. Under the Atlantic Records banner, Aretha embarked on a transformative journey, recording the pivotal track “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You).”
This symbolic sequence unfolds with her traversing cotton fields during a car journey to Muscle Shoals in 1967. The visual narrative captures not only a geographical transition but also marks a metaphorical turning point.
This symbolic journey also serves as a metaphor for the experience of a Black woman in the United States during that era. Preceding Aretha, there were few documented instances of popular Black female figures; they were often part of an anonymous, dehumanized collective toiling in the cotton fields. In the racially segregated landscape of Alabama, Aretha's emergence marked a significant departure alongside with the prohibition of Jim Crow.
As she sings, adorned in green—the colour of nature and tranquillity—it reflects her authentic self and signifies new beginnings and growth. The release of her song as her debut hit not only brought her commercial success but also marked a transformative phase in her career. Beyond the spotlight, Aretha takes on a more hands-on role, incorporating her sisters as new backup singers. The choice of green also carries a dual meaning, associated not only with growth but also with envy and jealousy, hinting at the challenges she faced, particularly in her relationship with her husband, who began exhibiting violent behaviour.
Aretha Franklin leveraged her burgeoning career to actively support civil rights, women's rights, and Native American rights. She contributed both funds and performances to various benefits and protests, showcasing her commitment to a broad range of social causes. A trailblazer ahead of her time, she embodied an intersectional approach to activism, making her titular performances even more impactful and remarkable.
Despite grappling with personal struggles, including an abusive marriage, Franklin's onstage presence was marked by resilience and a powerful message. In significant performances like "Think" in Paris, where she faced intense media scrutiny about her abusive marriage, she adorned herself in gold. This ironic choice, given the city's romantic reputation, emphasized her unwavering talent and resilience. Notably, in these moments, she often wore white—a symbol of peace—aligning her appearance with the anthem she delivered. This choice of attire also echoes the white she wore during Martin Luther King's funeral, linking her commitment to social justice.
As the show continues, Aretha Franklin persists in delivering subsequent hits and amplifying Martin Luther King's words, extending her support to figures like Angela Davis. Behind the spotlight, poignant scenes unfold through the lens of her shoes, capturing the challenges of her journey. Dark lighting symbolizes her depressive mental state and the toll of overworking. Coping with these pressures, alcohol becomes her mechanism for solace.
A poignant contrast emerges with brightened sequences featuring her mother in red, symbolizing the enduring power and influence her mother wielded in Aretha's life. This transformative dynamic, intricately woven into her journey, transcends what any feature film could fully measure.
Aretha Franklin's impact is numerically staggering, with 112 charted singles on the US Billboard charts, encompassing 73 Hot 100 entries, 17 top-ten pop singles, 100 R&B entries, and an impressive 20 number-one R&B singles. Her prowess is further underscored by a collection of 18 Grammy Awards from 44 nominations. As a female trailblazer, she secured her place in the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame and achieved the distinction of being the youngest in the Kennedy Center Honor.
Her title as the "Queen of Soul" was no mere accolade; it was a testament to her monumental contributions. She used the cement from her predecessors to pave the way for her successors. She used her voice and shaped the identity of an empowering Black woman to a generation. Names like Jennifer Hudson who gives her life in the biopic, the princess of soul.
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