What's Love Got to Do with It? ★★½ 1993 (R) Energetic biopic of powerhouse songstress Tina Turner. Short sequences cover her early life before moving into her abusive relationship with Ike and solo comeback success. Bassett may not look like Tina, but her exceptionally strong performance leaves no question as to who she's supposed to be, even during on-stage Tina sequences. Some credibility is lost when Turner is shown in the final concert sequence—Gibson would have been wise to let Bassett finish what she started. Fishburne is a sympathetic but still chilling Ike, rising to the challenge of showing both Ike's initial charm and longtime cruelty. Based on "I, Tina" by Turner and Kurt Loder. 118m/C VHS, DVD. Angela Bassett, Laurence "Larry" Fishburne, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Jenifer Lewis, Phyllis Stickney, Khandi Alexander, Pamela Tyson, Penny Johnson, Rae'ven (Alyia Larrymore) Kelly, Robert Miranda, Chi McBride, Damon Hines;
Director:
Brian Gibson;
Writer:
Kate Lanier;
Writer:
Jamie Anderson;
Cameo:
Stanley Clarke. Golden Globes '94: Actress—Mus./Comedy (Bassett); Blockbuster '95: Female Newcomer, V. (Bassett).
