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WHITNEY
January 17, 2015  | By David Bianculli

Lifetime, 8:00 p.m. ET

 

This is not a recommendation, only a notation. Those who are extremely enthusiastic about the music and vocal abilities of the late Whitney Houston are the sweet-spot target audience for this new telemovie biography. I suspect, though, that even the most fervent fan may question this drama’s tone, approach and point of view. But if you approach with the idea not to believe much of what you see, you might be able to walk away pleased by what you hear. As in the days of some vintage movie musicals, the star’s vocals are provided by an offscreen singer. On screen, Whitney has Yaya DaCosta playing the pop diva, but Deborah Cox supplying the vocals whenever Whitney sings, which is often. Arlen Escarpeta plays Bobby Brown, and behind the scenes, Shem Bitterman has written the teleplay, and actress Angela Bassett, who might have played an effective Houston herself, directs.

 
 
 
 
 
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