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Aretha's Girl

(from left to right) Jennifer Hudson, Aretha & Audra McDonald.

Before they finalize the casting, I'd like to just put my thoughts out there about the prospective casting of the actress to play Aretha Franklin in her biopic.

First of all, I LOVE a well done biopic. They have introduced to me to important people that I may or may not have known anything about. Often times they have prompted to me discover the person for myself, outside of their screen portrayal. So this a genre that I generally love.

Casting is paramount. It can elevate a weak script to heights impossible for it to achieve if lessor actors where in the picture.

It is surprisingly rare that we get such a prolonged and meandering look into the casting of a biopic.  The first thing I heard about the casting of this project is that Aretha Franklin told Wendy Williams on her talk show that Halle Berry was going to play her. I don't think there's much I can say about this casting choice that wouldn't automatically jumping to someone head. I'll simply say this: she's already acted in a biopic before, Introducing Dorothy Dandridge, which was a perfect match for her on multiple levels. I don't think that's a road she needs to - or wants to - walk down twice.

The next women on their list are: Jennifer Hudson and Audra McDonald.

Both are respected actresses and singers, although they cut their teeth very differently.

Since information about them is readily available, I'll cut right to the chase and lay out the pros and cons of each, as I see them:

JENNIFER HUDSON

Pros:

It took me a while to really warm up to her quite frankly. I didn't start watching American Idol until the season after hers and when she had her break out role in Dreamgirls, I didn't think the performance was as spectacular as the hype surrounding it. She won an Oscar for it so perhaps I was just plain wrong.

Seeing her in other things has helped her greatly in my eyes. She was sweet and sympathetic in the Sex and the City film - in direct contrast to Effie White, her character in Dreamgirls. So she has some range.

I've also quite  liked a bit of her solo music: Spotlight, If This Isn't Love, Giving Myself, Where You At?, No One Gon Love You, Angel . She's released 2 albums and even won a Grammy for her first. She has a R&B voice that hearkens back to the truly great voices of the Classic Soul era and, therefore, definitely has the voice to pull off Aretha.

I have no doubt that her Aretha will be competent. I don't think she would fail, which is good, I guess. Still, Jennifer has not been seen in a role (in the States, at least) of any kind of challenge since her debut. {Perhaps Winnie will change that...}

Cons:

Competence aside, I just don't believe in her ability to transform in to a different person. I have seen her as fictional characters so far, and what I have seen of Winnie doesn't convince me that's she capable of it. Her Aretha, I feel will be 'Jennifer Hudson as Aretha Franklin' instead of 'Aretha Franklin' - if that makes any sense.

Also, she is a high profile celebrity. Especially since the weight loss. High profile actors have to be even better at their craft to disappear in a role because they are already well known qualities and the audience is more often than not looking for them in the film. Its a hurdle, I feel, only exceptional actors have overcome.

AUDRA MCDONALD

Pros:

I must admit, I'm a little bias when it comes to Audra. I, quite frankly, idolize her. Its not particularly healthy, but its true. Still, I know I'm capable of separating this from my judgement... I think...

Audra is a hurricane on stage. Matter of fact, it is on stage in The Gershwin's Porgy & Bess that Aretha Franklin saw Audra and was impressed enough to put her on the shortlist to play her. I was privileged enough to see her perform in this show - it was my first time seeing her on stage live - and I can't blame Aretha. Matter of fact, I praise her! Audra has been like a best kept secret in the entertainment industry. She has now nabbed a record 5 Tony Awards - the 3rd and only African-American performer to do this. Her latest for Porgy & Bess.

She has played a variety of roles on stage successfully, so,  I'm convinced of her ability to transform into a different person.

Her film work has mainly been on television: she was nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys for Wit and A Raisin in the Sun and was a main cast member of Private Practice for its first 4 years. I watched Private Practice for her and I must admit, I was underwhelmed. Not with her though, she did the most with what she was given - she just wasn't used properly/fully.

She's definitely got a voice. A degree from Julliard says that much, as does 4 solo albums and 2 Grammy awards.

Cons:

I've yet to see a consistent performance by her on film that has captured all what makes her great on stage. I've caught glimpses here and there - an episode of this, a clip of that. Something is missing though. Maybe its just her comfort level, an inability to truly be vulnerable in front of the camera. As I said, I've glimpsed that magic but... it has not been consistently there.

Also, as Aretha  pointed out in a recent interview, the part of her voice that Audra has sang with for most of her career is more operatic and Broadway in its nature. She has to prove that she can sing soul music and having to sound like Aretha Franklin is no small order. Aretha has a phenomenal voice that singers have been and still are trying to emulate.

I'm honestly not sure if she call pull that off. No on is infallible. But we'll see.

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I must say, in wrapping up, that I don't think any of these three choices look like Aretha Franklin, but neither do I think that is really important. So may actors have played real life characters in films even though they resemble them only slightly. Sydney Poitier as Nelson Mandela comes to mind. I was still convinced by his portrayal though.

I hope they choose Audra. I think she's a better actress and that is more important to me. But Aretha is a singer, and I'm sure she and everyone else wants to feel like they are actually seeing and experiencing Aretha Franklin in full when they watch the film. That means the right voice has got to be there!

I hope that Audra can pull off the voice and they are convinced that she is the right actress. I've kinda put my expectation eggs in Jennifer's basket but I hope I am pleasantly surprised.

 Whoever they choose for the film, I believe the actress will have a real chance to shine and get attention. Audra's profile could be drastically increased with such exposure. It would definitely be the first film to truly challenge her. And as for Jennifer, she's been sort of a one hit wonder when it comes to acting. Excelling in this film would demonstrate that Dreamgirls wasn't just a fluke.

I hope they make the right choice. Whoever it is.

 

My fave Aretha song.

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P.S. Actresses on taking the role: