The Greatest Voice in I WANA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY

Posted on January 16, 2023

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Written by

Jude Bautista

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) is singing, rehearsing with her mother Tamara Tunie (Cissy Houston). Who cuts her off. Cissy: Again! When God gives you a gift you gotta use it right. Whitney: [sings again]. Cissy: Do the melody. Once you learn it you can do your own flourishes. Now do it again. Whitney: [sings]. Cissy: Know the melody backwards and forwards. Pay attention to the words. Complete every word, enunciate! Great singing comes from three places: the head, the heart and the gut.

[Whitney starts to walk out.] Cissy: Get your eyes off that damn door. Whitney: I wana quit. Cissy: Oh no you don’t quit. You gave that up when you told me you wanted to do this. Again! Whitney: [sings] Cissy: You have to be committed to this thing.

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Just like the scene above, we didn’t see the pain and struggles Whitney Houston went through to become THE Voice, the greatest of her generation as legendary producer Clive Davis described her. What the world saw was the 7 consecutive number one hits on the Billboard 100 Singles; beating THE BEATLES record.

There was so much she had to overcome having a strict, conservative upbringing. She was looking for her own voice as a human being even after developing her literal voice. That was something she had to contend with even as an established artist later on.

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Best Sound In Cinema

Its ALL here in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY, including her struggles with drug addiction, alcoholism and spousal abuse. Every track, every music video marks a time in her life. In a way our own lives too, for those who were there during the same time (like me). Her hits HOW WOULD I KNOW?, GREATEST LOVE OF ALL, I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU, I’M EVERY WOMAN would be reintroduced to a whole new generation of fans.

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Watching I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY in cinemas is a must to get the best sound and visuals. Since I never got to watch Whitney Houston’s concert or her performance live and in person, this is the next best thing. As opposed to watching a concert you get the whole context of her life, as well as hearing the songs.

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SM Cinemas are also safer now from viruses. SM Cinema in partnership with Hygieia, have installed Aurabeat Philippines Antiviral Air Purifiers and MERV filters for safer cinema experience. Hygieia is the Philippine’s largest air and surface sterilization company offering US FDA Certified Aurabeat Philippines Air Purifiers.

Whitney Houston in the I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU music video, THE BODYGUARD soundtrack (1992).

Legendary Medley

Without revealing too much, there’s a legendary medley that Whitney is known for. It is so vocally difficult and challenging no previous artist attempted to sing those high pitched songs back to back. It was originally conceptualized and arranged by her musical director Rickey Minor (played by Dave Heard). After Whitney pulled it off, it became her signature. That was the medley that became the standard for all other female vocalists around the world. Movie goers will see how they came to that arrangement and executed that brilliant idea.

From left: Stanley Tucci (Clive), Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) and Music Producer Clive Davis in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
Official fb https://www.facebook.com/wannadancemovie/

One of the measures of greatness for any artist is how they influence others. In the Philippines, Whitney’s influence became apparent among our own greatest singers. Especially Regine Velasquez, Jaya, Bituin Escalante, Jake Zyrus up to young singers today Julie Ann San Jose, Aicelle Santos. Practically all of them have been influence by Whitney Houston in one way or another.

WHITNEY HOUSTON Medley – Regine Velasquez

Each of those Filipino legends mentioned have sung their own take on that medley. Almost a rite of passage, proof of your vocal prowess and skill. The medley became the standard from which all others are measured. I’m guessing I WANNA DANCE… will be a huge hit among Pinoy music lovers, who are addicted to love songs and ballads.

Whitney’s I HAVE NOTHING by Frenchie, Radha and Bituin

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Naomi Ackie

Playing Whitney is British actress Naomi Ackie who is of Grenadian descent. She was able to get the spirit of The Voice. Down to the hand gestures and emotion of each song. She also managed to nail the improv in the now legendary live performances. Naomie just wrapped up MICKEY 17 with Robert Pattinson and PARASITE director Bong Joon Ho, which will be released in 2024.

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Ackie was able to show the vulnerability of Whitney’s youth and her evolution becoming her own person, to the superstar and legend that she is. She shot to fame as Jannah in STAR WARS: EPISODE IX – THE RISE OF SKYWALKER. And Bonnie in THE END OF THE F***ING WORLD which earned her a BAFTA Best Supporting Actress for TV in 2017. She also won the British Independent Film Awards Most Promising Newcomer for LADY MACBETH (2016).

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Matching the music videos almost to a frame, however, had its drawbacks. Those familiar with them, may recall how breathtaking and stunning the real Whitney Houston was. Which lead the NY bar owner where mother Cissy was performing to describe Whitney as ‘a fashion model with a voice of an angel’. She really had the face, height, lithe body of a ramp model. Combined with immense vocal abilities, that’s how rare a talent and person she was. Whitney acted in THE BODYGUARD with Kevin Costner. Acting was something she should’ve explored more.

Whitney Houston in the I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU music video, THE BODYGUARD soundtrack (1992).

Austin Butler had the same dilemma. The real Elvis was also a movie star on top of being the King of Rock and Roll. You don’t expect him to look exactly like Elvis. BUT they did give Butrler a GOLDEN GLOBE for that role, a week ago. Performance-wise you can’t ask for anything more from Naomie Ackie who was able to successfully portray the spirit of Whitney.

From left: Whitney Houston and actress Naomie Ackie in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
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McCarten’s Oscar Trifecta

You could say, expectations for this film were inordinately high. Screenwriter Anthony McCarten is on an Oscar roll. From imdb: “Three of the films he’s written scripts for have won the Oscar for Best Actor: The Theory of Everything (2014), Darkest Hour (2017), and Bohemian Rhapsody (2018). All three films were also nominated for the Best Picture Oscar and all three films were stories about real life personalities (Stephen Hawking, Winston Churchill and Freddie Mercury).” Read my full review – BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY: QUEEN’s Greatness here.

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McCarten has a talent for condensing the lives of these great names into a dramatic and entertaining 2 and a half hours. When you could easily make 10 hours’ worth of film and documentary, from everything we know about them. Winton Churchill’s speeches alone can command a whole film by themselves, considered as some of the greatest in history.

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Bisexuality

Whitney’s bisexuality was also depicted which may surprise some fans. But sexual preference was not as central to the story. Unlike, Freddie’s or Elton John’s homosexuality in ROCKETMAN. This may have flowed from the characters themselves. Both Freddie and Elton were known for their wild parties and lifestyle. Whitney had her share of celebrity affairs (e.g. Eddie Murphy) but not like those previous two.

From left: Nafessa Williams (Robyn Crawford) and Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
Official fb https://www.facebook.com/wannadancemovie/

I WANNA DANCE… may end up with another Oscar haul. IF there is one complaint, it would be not depicting the creative process for Whitney. We got to see how Freddie Mercury, Brian May, John Deacon and Roger Taylor argued and fought through their creative process. There was that push and pull between them in birthing those legendary hits including Bohemian Rhapsody. All we saw was Stanley Tucci (Clive Davis) playing cassette tapes to Whitney and asking if she liked to produce this or that song.

From left: Stanley Tucci (Clive Davis) and Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
Official fb https://www.facebook.com/wannadancemovie/

Oprah Moment

There could have been an interesting scene with songwriter Diane Warren and super producer David Foster. Whitney got a co-writing credit with them for the inspiring hit I DIDN’T KNOW MY OWN STRENGTH. The song was part of her comeback in 2009. Viewers could hear Whitney’s own ‘flourishes’ with the lyrics in the televised Oprah performance. That’s why it was such a landmark moment.

I WANNA DANCE… is tragic and moving but we can also choose to be inspired by Whitney’s music and the way she came back from her challenges.

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Log on to
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I didn’t know my own strength

And I crashed down, and I tumbled

But I did not crumble

I got through all the pain, ohh

I didn’t know my own strength

My faith kept me alive

I picked myself back up

I hold my head up high

I was not built to break

I didn’t know my own strength, mmh

Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Log on to
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Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Log on to
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From left: Tamara Tunie (Cissy Houston) Stanley Tucci (Clive Davis) and Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
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Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY.
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From left: Stanley Tucci (Clive Davis) and Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston) in I WANNA DANCE WITH SOMEBODY. Photo from
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