Movie Review • Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne were obviously the “It” actors to cast for couple roles in the 90’s (separated couple in Boyz N the Hood), and their onscreen chemistry explains why. From Angela’s iconic Proud Mary performance to Laurence Fishburne having Ike’s mannerisms and speech down to perfection, these two were perfect for What’s Love Got to Do With?
Regardless of how amazing the movie was, Tina still has not watched it. She doesn’t want to relive that time of her life, and a lot of what was depicted was not true. The one scene that was depicted accurately was the limousine scene where they were on their way to the hotel for a show that night in Dallas, and she ran into oncoming traffic to get across the street to another hotel to get away from Ike while he was sleep.
I would suggest reading her autobiography I,Tina and watching her HBO documentary special Tina on HBO Max to get the most accurate details of her life.
Filming part of the movie in the LA home (with the round bed) where Ike and Tina resided during the 70’s with the original furniture and décor, the film took the audience on an emotional rollercoaster. The film gave us amazing musical performances that Laurence Fishburne sung himself, to heartbreaking domestic abuse scenes, and some of the most quoted movie lines (Eat the cake Anna Mae).
The cinematography and acting were a masterpiece to say the least. If Ike & Tina are mentioned, a visual of the movie will pop up in your head. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne will always be Ike and Tina Turner.
