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Whitney: Can I Be Me

2017 1h 30m Documentary Music TRAILER for List
87% Tomatometer 77 Reviews 63% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Filmmaker Nick Broomfield goes in search of the forces that made and then destroyed singer Whitney Houston, who has been described as having one of the greatest voices of the last 50 years.
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Whitney: Can I Be Me

Whitney: Can I Be Me

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Critics Consensus

Whitney: Can I Be Me offers a sobering inside look at the tragic downfall of a brilliant performer, even as it leaves the audience yearning for deeper insight.

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Critics Reviews

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Eric Deggans NPR Whitney. "Can I Be Me provides a compelling portrait of a supreme talent isolated by fame, dysfunctional relationships and a crushing drug habit, slowly diminished by the same qualities that originally made her a superstar. Nov 25, 2019 Full Review Sarah Fonseca Autostraddle It's surprising how little Broomfield inserts himself into the narrative...[he] is respectful and Crawford is only present in old footage... Nov 13, 2018 Full Review Soraya Nadia McDonald Andscape Whitney lets us know: The demand for sanitized, postracial soothsaying from black stars as the price for success is more than detrimental. It will slowly, softly kill you. Sep 26, 2017 Full Review Katie Driscoll Vague Visages Can I Be Me plays out like a tragedy of the most cinematic kind. Dec 6, 2023 Full Review Olly Richards NME (New Musical Express) If its grip on important facts is slippery, Whitney: Can I Be Me gives a fascinating look at the making of a popstar before the age of social media. Rated: 3/5 Jun 9, 2021 Full Review Calum Baker One Room With A View An uncharismatic documentary featuring many charismatic people, Whitney is basically watchable but hampered by an inability to push far enough. Rated: 3/5 Mar 2, 2019 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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robert p What a shame, I've seen Whitney Houston twice in Concert, her voice was pure cream when she handled high notes. RIP Whitney!!!! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review toby h 'Whitney' is sympathetic look behind the scenes at the singer's heartbreakingly short life. Her amazing voice takes a backseat, to the tragic narrative and never-before seen footage. A fine music documentary. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Sorry Nick but the documentary format has moved on. This is so functional, that other than the odd idea which is hinted at you're left at the end none the wiser. Whitney's life story seems tragic, complicated and very interesting but this doesn't ever get beneath the surface I'm afraid. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 02/04/23 Full Review Audience Member tragic and insightful. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/19/19 Full Review evan g I was never a big Whitney Houston fan- too much pop/too little R&B- but this is a GREAT and devastating documentary among the great music docs. Don't miss it. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member Revelador documental. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/15/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Whitney: Can I Be Me

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Cast & Crew

Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars 69% 73% Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars TRAILER for Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars We Are X 83% 84% We Are X TRAILER for We Are X Mystify: Michael Hutchence 100% 94% Mystify: Michael Hutchence If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd 100% 98% If I Leave Here Tomorrow: A Film About Lynyrd Skynyrd Whitney 88% 75% Whitney TRAILER for Whitney Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis Filmmaker Nick Broomfield goes in search of the forces that made and then destroyed singer Whitney Houston, who has been described as having one of the greatest voices of the last 50 years.
Director
Nick Broomfield, Rudi Dolezal
Producer
Nick Broomfield, Marc Hoeferlin
Screenwriter
Nick Broomfield, Marc Hoeferlin
Production Co
Lafayette Films, Showtime Networks Inc., Passion Pictures
Genre
Documentary, Music
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 26, 2017
Runtime
1h 30m
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