Documentary

Whitney

DocumentaryBiographyDrama

An in-depth look at the life and music of Whitney Houston.

Year

2018

Duration

2h

IMDb

7.3

Trailer

Cast

Kevin Macdonald

Director

Whitney Houston

Self

EW

Ellen White

Self - Family Friend

EW

Ellen White

Self - Employee

MH

Michael Houston

Self - Brother

MH

Michael Houston

Self - Employee

Cissy Houston

Self - Mother

Aretha Franklin

Self

Gary Houston

Self - Brother

Gary Houston

Self - Backup Singer

DH

Donna Houston

Self - Former Sister-in-Law

KG

Kenneth Gibson

Self - First Black Mayor of Newark

DB

Deforest B. Soaries Jr.

Self - Family Friend

DS

Drinkard Singers

Themselves

Dionne Warwick

Self - Whitney's Cousin

DD

Dee Dee Warwick

Self - Whitney's Cousin

Keith Kelly

Self - Family Friend

Keith Kelly

Self - Employee

JH

John Houston III

Self - Half-Brother

Patricia Houston

Self - Sister-in-Law

Patricia Houston

Self - Manager 2000-2012

SG

Steven Gittelman

Self - Management Team, 1981-1988

BS

Bette Sussman

Self - Pianist with Cissy Houston

BS

Bette Sussman

Self - Keyboard Player, 1986-1989

Rickey Minor

Self - Bass Player, 1983-1989

Rickey Minor

Self - Musical Director 1989-1999

Kevin Macdonald

Writer

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Comments

10 comments

Luce Oleg’sMar 22, 2026

Catty MurrayMay 29, 2023

Junior DekalexNov 22, 2022

Brilliant documentary that does not hold back on anything. We see why Whitney became such a huge star, her talent, looks & personality. And we see her demise into ever increased drug use and poor choice of associates. The saddest part for me was to see how members of her own family abused her; firstly sexually abused as a child by a female relative, then her brothers, who seemed proud to have introduced her to drugs and continues to supply her with them. Then her husband who seemed more interested in his own self promotion than his wife's. Saddest of all her own father who stole from her and tried to sue her for $100 Million. The only thing missing was any explanation of her death and the death f her daughter. After such a m in depth documentary it seemed this was skimmed over. We did get to see some amazing footage of her incredible talent and she is very much missed in today's entertainment world, where mediocre singers are lauded above their minimal talent.

YaSsino ZaaNov 22, 2022

Writer and director Kevin Macdonald should be praised for making such an honest, well balanced piece about the great singer Whitney Houston. Many of her inner circle are interviewed, and they do seem to try to tell the truth There would have been a lot of pressure on Macdonald to write a nice, glossy puff piece about America's super sweetheart of the 1980s. But that would have been an injustice to her memory, and to music history. And although Macdonald does cover some big topics - such as Houston's raging drug abuse and allegations she was sexually abused as a child - he never portrays it sensationally. He's more of an investigative journalist, and he is brave enough to ask the uncomfortable questions. One interview with Houston's husband Bobby Brown is illuminating for what Brown refuses to answer rather than what he does say. Brown has come up with a version of the story he can live with, I guess. But Houston faced many other problems that the public didn't see. Being, as a young woman, the boss and source of income to most of her family and friends was obviously a disaster. When she got into drugs, no one was in a position to be very insistent that she go to rehab, or that she take a year off from the relentless pressure of being a global pop star. As a child, Whitney Houston was left at home (and molested, this doco claims) while her mother Cissy was a backing singer. So when Whitney became famous, she wanted her own daughter Bobbi to go on tour with her, to protect her. But tours are not a stable environment for a child, let alone a child in a drug addled household. It's truly heartbreaking to see what eventually happened to Bobbi. If anyone thinks drugs solve your problems, or make you happy, or relieve stress, maybe they should watch this film. All it shows is that drugs ruin your life, as they did Houston's. She was far too young to die. May she rest in peace.

Kekeli19Nov 22, 2022

Or to be more exact "had" a problem. And to be even more truthful, she had more than one. She had quite a few demons. And quite a lot of them get uncovered. This really goes in depth. You should be able to understand what she was like, how she felt and what it was like to be her. She had a lot to endure and she was quite insecure, which makes her really human. And I guess everyone and their kids get interviewed for this too. Not all answer every question (Bobby Brown looking at you), but even those non answers are telling. Especially because they get undercut with family footage or something to underline a point. Still you as a viewer while getting the whole picture, you are left to assemble everything you get fed and make something of it. Very neatly cut together and pieced together, with no stone unturned. You need everything not just the good things she did. While I never was a big fan of the "I will always love you" sond (and I think I'm not alone with that sentiment), I know get it more than way back when it came out. And while I also made fun of it (as many others), I hate how some people treated her personally and which is not just coined at her but different other celebrities too. She had feelings and she cared more than she should have about overall opinions and criticism (not objective critic that is). Great documentary - even if you weren't a fan, there is so much to discover here

penny.giftyNov 22, 2022

This documentary is similar to the other called "Whitney - Can I Be Me". This one has some more information that the other didn't and did a better job in my opinion of celebrating some of Whitney's best live (jaw dropping) performances. I grew up with Whitney's music as a teenager and who didn't own her debut album? Whitney raised the game when it came to the image of a pro-singer "Diva" - (not my favourite term). She was a genius in her ability to make her live performances better than the recordings which is a big part of why she became so famous. In my opinion, she was more competitive and approached her performances wanting to "win" and perpetually prove she was hard to "beat". In this case, from the prowess of vocal gymnastics she was, is and always will be "on top" as one of the world's greatest singers of all time. I do believe as her mother said, God put her here to sing and through her singing inspire and uplift everybody who listened. But I also think the suffering she endured at the hands of fame and the hands of her father, husband and other family members who treated her like an "ATM" machine, is also sadly one of God's lessons to our weakness as humans at how we can figuratively put out to slaughter those very people that gave so much of themselves - like Whitney did to her fans. She gave, gave, gave but fame destroyed her and made even those closest to her resent her out of jealousy. What's to learn is that Whitney was her best when she was riding the high wave and when she didn't hold back for anyone or anything. It's only when she tried to "simmer down" to appease the jealousy and resentment from husband/family that she unravelled. Then quickly came the "boredom" the average public experiences as they want the shiny new singer because that's how the wheel of fame turns (youth-centered). I know her family all loved her, but this documentary can teach us that fame can come in and really put love so far back that you can't really feel it from those "close" to you anymore. Sadly, there are several tragedies in this story that extend beyond just a documentary that tells a story of a great singer who died too soon. An excellent documentary.

user9088488389536Nov 22, 2022

Whitney Houston was one of a kind, was one in a life time! She had the most pure angelic voice I had ever heard! She was an angel on earth. The first song she ever performed was about coming home, and eventually she did. She had enough of this life. She just wanted to rest in eternity... all these people tore her apart, used her... Her father, and then his look alike- Bobby Brown. All these men took something from her soul and happiness. She mislead and gave up her only true friend- Robyn. She was confused by all the people around her, by all the media and the noise... The saddest part was that her child followed her footsteps and also killed herself. That was a true tragedy... Whitney- You were a force to be reckon with! You were magic came to life. You killed yourself slowly, until you did it literally. I hope you are in a better place now, with all the love and rest you need. Your music will continue to surround our lives forever!! <3 <3 <3

Rokhaya NiangNov 22, 2022

The stage curtains open ... I remember one time, I was about 18 years old, still living at home - my family and I were watching a live performance on television of a new sensation singing "The Greatest Love Of All". I was blown away - me ... a kid who primarily listened to rock and metal music, was completely enamored with the magic of what was Whitney Houston. My Dad made the comment that he didn't like her. My Mom agreed. They thought she sang too loud and they didn't like singers with vocals that could blow you out of the room. I couldn't believe what I was hearing. My brother wasn't really paying attention, and my sister was too young to appreciate it. I never understood how my parents weren't able to recognize what was the best voice of my generation. Perhaps of all-time. But, I saw it. Me - a rocker, a headbanger. I saw Whitney for what she was. I felt like I was the only one in the whole world that night, that she was singing only to me. I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. That is the effect Whitney Houston had on me. The day she died, I cried. This documentary was very well made. It was insightful, deep and told with compassion by those who knew her best and loved her the most. Taking us on her life's journey from the influence of her mother, aunt and other family members - from singing gospel in church and signing a record deal with Arista. Her success and fame, the accolades she received - then through the troubled times, her rocky marriage, drug abuse and finally her tragic death. I re-lived my own youth when I saw her early performances. She reached my heart yet again, although this time it was much more somber and sad. I deeply appreciated this film and will watch it again. It captures the essence of Whitney, of who she really was - and the Whitney I always envisioned as a young man growing up. She was beautiful then, she still is now ... she always will be. One of our greatest losses.

XibonecanaNov 22, 2022

This documentary chronicles the life with ups and downs of the most cherished raw singer in the history music. Whitney (2018), exposes viewers to life growing up, musical training, drug addition, and family history. Secrets, marriage struggles, being a mother in the industry, and family turmoil are all highlighted in this very raw documentary. It is Whitney Houston like we've never seen it before. If you thought you knew everything about the musical legend, this a must see.

Niraj ArtsNov 22, 2022

I was not disappointed. An in depth look at Whitney's life through the people who knew her best. Beautifully put together.