‘WHITNEY’

R 2 hours

Is there anyone among us who isn’t familiar with the tragic trajectory of Whitney Houston? Born to gospel-music royalty, a child prodigy whose voice and graceful demeanor propelled her into superstar status as pop’s reigning diva, Houston ultimately died alone in a bathtub at 48, after years of abusing cocaine.

That grievous arc is drawn with intelligence and sensitivity in “Whitney,” Kevin Macdonald’s documentary that portrays Houston as an artist, a cultural phenomenon and, in the end, a victim of unscrupulous and abusive family members as well as a trainwreck-addicted tabloid culture. In terms of the facts of Houston’s life, “Whitney” doesn’t offer much more insight or emotional heft than last year’s equally moving “Whitney: Can I Be Me.” The biggest difference is that this film is produced by Houston’s sister-in-law Patricia, meaning that many more family members are interviewed, including her brothers, Gary and Michael. Surprisingly, that access also produces the film’s most shocking revelation, when it is alleged that Whitney was abused as a child by a close relation.

What lingers, above all else, is Houston’s voice: soaring on her national TV debut in 1983; commanding millions on her one-and-only take of the national anthem at the 1991 Super Bowl; electrifying anyone within range, whether in rehearsal or performance. She should have had it all and for a minute there, she did. Almost.

(Contains crude language and drug material.)

— Ann Hornaday, The Washington Post