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.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.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
- Writers
- Stars
- Nominated for 2 Oscars
- 3 wins & 16 nominations total
- Young Anna Mae
- (as Rae'Ven Kelly)
- Choir Member
- (as Dorothy Thornton)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
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Featured reviews
I am a huge fan of Tina Turner, but I don't think you have to be to enjoy this movie! The movie is so much more than the music! IIs a great drama with some amazing performances and some dark dramatic scenes that are more disturbing than you may think!
Angela Basset and Laurence fishburne were amazing! They really became the characters they were playing to the point where you almost forget you are watching actors and not the real Ike and Tina!
The music were great and since I never got to experience Tina this movie is the closest i can get and it does a great job at it!
Tina had a huge influence on music, me and all of us! Incredible artist that will never be forgotten! May she rest in peace!
On the most part, 'What's Love Got To Do With It' does. Sure, 'What's Love Got To Do With It' is a little obvious and over-simplified dramatically and a few of the musical scenes stop the flow at times that slows the film down. With that being said, 'What's Love Got To Do With It' has got a lot to recommend it.
Its biggest asset is the lead performances, two lead performances that one would describe as powerhouse. Angela Bassett gives a beautifully observed and deeply felt performance in the title role, her performance feels incredibly real and does not fall into the trap of being an impersonation. Every bit as good is Laurence Fishburne as Ike, on terrifying form. Both characters are very much convincing and have strong chemistry together.
'What's Love Got To Do With It' is nicely filmed and designed, as well as sympathetically directed. As predicted, the songs are terrific and well staged and performed. The script on the most part is heartfelt and avoids falling into making the characters clichéd caricatures or descending into over-heated melodrama. The story also mostly grips and can be very touching and illuminating.
On the whole, intriguing and very well done with powerhouse lead performances that carry the film faultlessly. 8/10 Bethany Cox
By necessity, biopics have to leave out people and incidents, often combining several incidents into one or skipping several steps. In no way does a knowledge of Tina Turner''s life detract from the impact of this film. It's a story of a woman's determination, beating the odds, suffering, perseverance and ultimate success.
Ike's and Tina's marriage was pretty much a horror show. Ike was always controlling, to the detriment of his own career, and as he turned to drugs, his abuse of Tina escalated. The most stunning scene in the film (besides the performances, which are fantastic) occurs when the couple fights in a limo en route to a hotel. Ike becomes physical; Tina has discovered Buddhism and finally gets the courage to fight back. A bloody mess, she runs away from him with only 36 cents in her purse.
Angela Bassett gives a searing, electrifying performance as Turner. Her sinewy body is a great match for Turner's, and she uses it to perfection in replicating Turner's performances (Turner's voice is used on the soundtrack). She shows the star's vulnerability, fear, and internal strength throughout.
Bassett is matched by Laurence Fishburne's terrifying performance as Ike. Fishburne seethes with manipulation and anger, even in scenes where he's being "nice." When Ike loses his temper, you can see how he can't stop and the violence just gets worth. A brilliant performance.
A must see. The latter part of Turner's life is not explored, but while she always remained popular in Europe, it was a long time before she could get a recording contract here after some failed recordings. Today she remains one of the greatest singing stars ever. But there were lots of valleys in between.
Packed with plenty of brutally-fierce drama, and high-energy musical numbers - Both actress, Angela Bassett, and actor, Laurence Fishburne gave convincing, top-notch performances as a pair of dynamic performers and ill-fated lovers whose repeated head-on collisions with each other could only lead to one final conclusion.
All-in-all - I recommend this picture, highly.
*Trivia notes* - Angela Bassett's singing was all dubbed by Tina Turner.
Director, Brian Gibson died in 2004.
Did you know
- TriviaLaurence Fishburne turned down the role of Ike Turner five times. When he learned that Angela Bassett had won the role of Tina Turner, he changed his mind.
- GoofsIn a scene dated 1968, Ike and Tina open for the Rolling Stones, doing "Proud Mary." The Stones didn't do any concerts in 1968; Ike and Tina opened for them in 1969. Creedence Clearwater Revival's original version was released in 1970.
- Quotes
Tina Turner: [Walks up to the hotel counter bruised and bloodied] I need to speak with your manager.
Hotel Clerk: Yes ma'am, right away. George!
Tina Turner: [George turns around] I'm... I'm Tina Turner. My husband and I just had a fight. I'm suppose to open at the Academy tonight. I have 36 cents and a Mobil card, but if you would give me a room, I SWEAR I will pay you back.
[She starts removing her jewelry]
George (the Ramada Inn Manager): No, no, no, that won't be necessary. Ms. Turner, I'd... I'd be honored, really. We'll take care of you.
Tina Turner: Thank you.
George (the Ramada Inn Manager): Nick, let's give Ms. Turner a room.
- SoundtracksTina's Wish
Written by Ike Turner and Tina Turner
Published by Striped Horse Music and Zebra Discorde Music Group, Inc.
Performed by Tina Turner
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Language
- Also known as
- Tina, la verdadera historia de Tina Turner
- Filming locations
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $15,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $39,100,956
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $1,222,718
- Jun 13, 1993
- Gross worldwide
- $39,100,956
- Runtime1 hour 58 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 1.85 : 1