The problem with biopics is that most people who see them probably haven't read the book they're based on so they take everything on screen for face value. In the case of What's Love Got to Do with It, there are a lot of inaccuracies when compared to the actual story Tina tells in her book I, Tina. Keep in mind that this story is one-sided and it's from Tina's perspective so Ike's background, childhood trauma, and personal struggles isn't explored. I have read Tina's book and I also read Ike's autobiography Takin' Back My Name, so watching the film you can see how the writers took great liberties to portray Tina in a way which she has since said she is not happy about. She did not have control over the script. In her book there is no mention of Ike raping her as depicted in the film. In Tina's book she mentions the child she had at 18 with saxophonist Raymond Hill. Her eldest son is completely erased from the movie to make her appear as an innocent virgin. There was clearly an agenda with this film to slander Ike more than necessary. He was one of the founding fathers of rock n roll. His song "Rocket 88" is considered the first rock n roll song. He discovered many legendary blues musicians as a talent scout for Sun Records and Modern Records. He was taught piano by Pinetop Perkins as a child and became a roadie for Robert Nighthawk and Sonny Boy Williams. He played piano on B.B. King's early Records and later taught himself how to play guitar. Yet most people probably only know him for how he was portrayed in this movie. It's unfortunate, but Ike & Tina Turner were much more than a dysfunctional couple. They are inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame for a reason. I wish the film focused more on their career rather than dramatized fabrications. If the film had followed closely to the story which Tina told in her book it could've been great. Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne are great actors but the inaccuracy of the script makes the film lose its appeal.
Review of What's Love Got to Do with It
