Tina

Released in 2021, Tina is a compelling documentary that provides an intimate and insightful retrospect into the ever-inspiring life of the indomitable Tina Turner. Directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin, the film extensively explores and celebrates the phenomenal achievements and personal struggles of this musician's life.

The running time of Tina is 118 minutes. Within this duration, the film introduces audiences to the spectacle of Tina Turner as an iconic music figure, while revealing the intimate realities of an intense career steeped in trauma, resilience, and extraordinary talent.

The movie features a blend of new interviews and archival materials, guiding the audience into the depths of Turner's incredible career in the music industry. The narrative primarily displays the many successes and challenges Turner faced through her personal life and professional career.

The main protagonist, Tina Turner, is brilliantly portrayed on screen, illustrating the different narratives from her life. Her performances and interviews breathe life into the film, showcasing her incredible energy and charismatic brilliance. The singer’s own voice-over dubs lend an authentic touch to the film, making it a masterpiece that is both touching and intensely personal.

Alongside Tina Turner, the film also includes other significant characters from her life and career. Carl Arrington, her friend and music critic, gives insightful inputs on her life’s experiences. Ike Turner, her husband and professional colleague, has a significant presence in the documentary.

The movie delves into Turner's traumatic married life with Ike, laying bare the physical and psychological abuse she endured and how she eventually freed herself from the toxic relationship. However, it does not stop there. The narrative goes beyond this to trace her triumphant re-emergence in the music industry, which led to her winning eleven Grammy Awards and gaining worldwide recognition as the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".

The film opens up about her life from her humble beginnings in Nutbush, Tennessee, where she was born as Anna Mae Bullock, to her rise to fame as Tina, the global music superstar. It further explores the immense challenges she encountered, including her near-catastrophic financial situation and her fight to establish herself in the industry as a solo artist.

"Tina" effectively captures the sheer resilience and determination of Turner. It considers not only her incredible talent but also her human strength. From heart-wrenching real-life occurrences to dazzling professional highlights, the movie flawlessly exhibits various fragments of Tina's life.

Also notable is the film's critical presentation of the media and how it portrayed Turner's abusive relationship with Ike. It stresses how the artist’s personal life was much more than her turbulent relationship, demonstrating the depth and resilience of her spirit.

Insightful interviews with long-time friends, musicians, and music executives shed light on her impressive musical journey. Turner’s interviews form the core of the film, offering the audience an unprecedented glimpse into her life and artistry. With an impressive collection of unseen footage, photographs, audiotapes, and personal interviews, the film presents an encapsulating narrative, commanding attention from start to finish.

Besides chronicling Tina’s life, the narration beautifully encapsulates the societal outlook of those times regarding issues such as race, gender, and fame. It brings into the spotlight Turner's heroic efforts to shatter countless glass ceilings and confronting all life's hurdles to emerge as a timeless superstar.

The filmmakers have done an outstanding job of documenting Turner’s journey from a young girl with big dreams to an all-time great of the music industry. Complex, layered, and incredibly powerful, ‘Tina’ promises to intrigue, inform and awe viewer of all kinds.

Taking the audience on a poignant journey, the documentary is a testament to the strength and resilience of a remarkable woman who dared to craft her own narrative. It's an emotional roller coaster that truly represents an awe-inspiring life of a woman who rose from adversity, overcoming heartbreaking obstacles to command control and conquer the music industry, thus deserving every bit of the legend she is today.

Touching and compelling, "Tina" is undoubtedly an enthralling tribute to one of the most significant icons in the music world, and a must-watch for music enthusiasts and fans of true stories about human spirit triumphing over hardships.