In the five years since she died, there’s been little homage paid to Whitney Houston – the New Jersey kid who sang in the church choir and became a megastar chanteuse (she broke The Beatles’ record for consecutive US Number Ones).
This doc from Nick Broomfield (‘Kurt & Courtney’, ‘Biggie and Tupac’) could have been that tribute – and during this glum account of her rise and fall, there are breathtaking reminders of just how sensational Houston was in her prime, before drugs eclipsed her talent. Instead, Broomfield picks up where the tabloids left off, rehashing details of Houston’s marriage to Bobby Brown, closeness to her PA and cocaine habit.
His interviews – mainly with bandmates, backing singers and bodyguards – begin to feel like filler. At least there’s plenty from Whitney herself in incredibly poignant TV interviews where she talks about her struggles with fame and addiction.