Respect (2021 film)
Updated: 12/11/2025, 3:50:10 PM Wikipedia source
Respect is a 2021 American biographical musical drama film directed by Liesl Tommy (in her feature directorial debut), written by Tracey Scott Wilson and Callie Khouri, based on the life of American singer Aretha Franklin. The film stars Jennifer Hudson as Franklin, with Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, and Mary J. Blige in supporting roles. The film follows the first three decades of Franklin's life, from being born as a musical prodigy in an affluent African-American family, the repercussions of losing her mother at age 10 to her arduous rise to international musical stardom, while enduring an abusive marriage, ultimately concluding with the recording of her influential live album Amazing Grace (1972). A film on Franklin's life was in development for a long time with Franklin herself involved in the pre-production, however the film languished in development hell for years due to lack of finding a suitable candidate. Following release of the musical film Dreamgirls (2006), Franklin asked Hudson to play her but did not finalize her decision until seeing her in the Broadway musical The Color Purple. The film began production in early 2019 and had concluded by February 2020. The film is dedicated to Franklin, who died in 2018. After much delay and postponement, due to the burgeoning COVID-19 pandemic, Respect premiered in Los Angeles on August 8, 2021, and was released theatrically in the United States on August 13, 2021, by United Artists Releasing, and in other territories by Universal Pictures. The film received generally positive reviews from critics, with praise for the performances, the film's production values, and costume design, but received criticism for its screenplay and long running time.
Infobox
Directed by
Liesl Tommy
Screenplay by
Tracey Scott Wilson
Story by
mw- Callie Khouri Tracey Scott Wilson
Produced by
Harvey Mason Jr. Scott Bernstein Jonathan Glickman Stacey Sher
Starring
Jennifer Hudson Forest Whitaker Marlon Wayans Audra McDonald Marc Maron Tituss Burgess Mary J. Blige
Cinematography
Kramer Morgenthau
Edited by
Avril Beukes
Music by
Kris Bowers
Productioncompanies
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Bron Creative Glickmania One Community
Distributed by
United Artists Releasing
Release dates
August 8, 2021 (2021-08-08) (Los Angeles) August 13, 2021 (2021-08-13) (United States)
Running time
145 minutes
Country
United States
Language
English
Budget
$55 million
Box office
$32.9 million
Tables
· Accolades
2021
2021
Year
2021
Award organization
African-American Film Critics Association
Category
Top 10 Films
Recipient
Respect
Result
3rd place
Best Actress
Best Actress
Year
Best Actress
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Won
Black Film Critics Circle
Black Film Critics Circle
Year
Black Film Critics Circle
Award organization
Top 10 Films
Category
Respect
Recipient
5th place
Best Actress
Best Actress
Year
Best Actress
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Runner-up
4th Celebration of Black Cinema and Television
4th Celebration of Black Cinema and Television
Year
4th Celebration of Black Cinema and Television
Award organization
Actress – Film
Category
Won
Detroit Film Critics Society
Detroit Film Critics Society
Year
Detroit Film Critics Society
Award organization
Best Actress
Category
Nominated
12th Hollywood Music in Media Awards
12th Hollywood Music in Media Awards
Year
12th Hollywood Music in Media Awards
Award organization
Best Original Song in a Feature Film
Category
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Recipient
Nominated
Best Original Song – Onscreen Performance
Best Original Song – Onscreen Performance
Year
Best Original Song – Onscreen Performance
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson, Hailey Kilgore & Saycon Sengbloh – "Respect"
Category
Nominated
47th People's Choice Awards
47th People's Choice Awards
Year
47th People's Choice Awards
Award organization
The Drama Movie of 2021
Category
Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher, Jennifer Hudson
Recipient
Nominated
The Female Movie Star of 2021
The Female Movie Star of 2021
Year
The Female Movie Star of 2021
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Nominated
The Drama Movie Star of 2021
The Drama Movie Star of 2021
Year
The Drama Movie Star of 2021
Award organization
Nominated
23rd Women's Image Awards
23rd Women's Image Awards
Year
23rd Women's Image Awards
Award organization
Best Feature Film
Category
Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher
Recipient
Nominated
Best Actress
Best Actress
Year
Best Actress
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Nominated
2022
2022
Year
2022
Award organization
11th AACTA International Awards
Category
Best Actress
Recipient
Nominated
22nd Black Reel Awards
22nd Black Reel Awards
Year
22nd Black Reel Awards
Award organization
Outstanding Actress
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Original Song
Outstanding Original Song
Year
Outstanding Original Song
Award organization
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Original Score
Outstanding Original Score
Year
Outstanding Original Score
Award organization
Kris Bowers
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Editing
Outstanding Editing
Year
Outstanding Editing
Award organization
Avril Beukes
Category
Nominated
79th Golden Globe Awards
79th Golden Globe Awards
Year
79th Golden Globe Awards
Award organization
Best Original Song
Category
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Recipient
Nominated
64th Annual Grammy Awards
64th Annual Grammy Awards
Year
64th Annual Grammy Awards
Award organization
Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media
Category
Respect
Recipient
Nominated
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Year
Best Song Written for Visual Media
Award organization
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Category
Nominated
53rd NAACP Image Awards
53rd NAACP Image Awards
Year
53rd NAACP Image Awards
Award organization
Outstanding Motion Picture
Category
Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher, Jennifer Hudson
Recipient
Nominated
Entertainer of the Year
Entertainer of the Year
Year
Entertainer of the Year
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Won
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Year
Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Award organization
Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Year
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Award organization
Audra McDonald
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Year
Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture
Award organization
Respect
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Year
Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture)
Award organization
Liesl Tommy
Category
Nominated
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Year
Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album
Award organization
Stephen Bray, Jason Michael Webb
Category
Nominated
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Year
Palm Springs International Film Festival
Award organization
Chairman's Award
Category
Jennifer Hudson
Recipient
Won
26th Satellite Awards
26th Satellite Awards
Year
26th Satellite Awards
Award organization
Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Category
Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher
Recipient
Nominated
Best Original Song
Best Original Song
Year
Best Original Song
Award organization
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Category
Nominated
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Year
Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical
Award organization
Jennifer Hudson
Category
Nominated
28th Screen Actors Guild Awards
28th Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year
28th Screen Actors Guild Awards
Award organization
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Category
Nominated
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards
Year
Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards
Award organization
Outstanding Original Song for a Musical or Comedy Visual Production
Category
"Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)"
Recipient
Nominated
| Year | Award organization | Category | Recipient | Result | Ref. |
| 2021 | African-American Film Critics Association | Top 10 Films | Respect | 3rd place | |
| Best Actress | Jennifer Hudson | Won | |||
| Black Film Critics Circle | Top 10 Films | Respect | 5th place | ||
| Best Actress | Jennifer Hudson | Runner-up | |||
| 4th Celebration of Black Cinema and Television | Actress – Film | Won | |||
| Detroit Film Critics Society | Best Actress | Nominated | |||
| 12th Hollywood Music in Media Awards | Best Original Song in a Feature Film | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Song – Onscreen Performance | Jennifer Hudson, Hailey Kilgore & Saycon Sengbloh – "Respect" | Nominated | |||
| 47th People's Choice Awards | The Drama Movie of 2021 | Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher, Jennifer Hudson | Nominated | ||
| The Female Movie Star of 2021 | Jennifer Hudson | Nominated | |||
| The Drama Movie Star of 2021 | Nominated | ||||
| 23rd Women's Image Awards | Best Feature Film | Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Jennifer Hudson | Nominated | |||
| 2022 | 11th AACTA International Awards | Best Actress | Nominated | ||
| 22nd Black Reel Awards | Outstanding Actress | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Original Song | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Original Score | Kris Bowers | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Editing | Avril Beukes | Nominated | |||
| 79th Golden Globe Awards | Best Original Song | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated | ||
| 64th Annual Grammy Awards | Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media | Respect | Nominated | ||
| Best Song Written for Visual Media | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated | |||
| 53rd NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding Motion Picture | Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher, Jennifer Hudson | Nominated | ||
| Entertainer of the Year | Jennifer Hudson | Won | |||
| Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture | Won | ||||
| Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture | Audra McDonald | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Ensemble Cast in a Motion Picture | Respect | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Breakthrough Creative (Motion Picture) | Liesl Tommy | Nominated | |||
| Outstanding Soundtrack/Compilation Album | Stephen Bray, Jason Michael Webb | Nominated | |||
| Palm Springs International Film Festival | Chairman's Award | Jennifer Hudson | Won | ||
| 26th Satellite Awards | Best Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Harvey Mason Jr., Scott Bernstein, Jonathan Glickman, Stacey Sher | Nominated | ||
| Best Original Song | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Comedy or Musical | Jennifer Hudson | Nominated | |||
| 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role | Nominated | |||
| Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards | Outstanding Original Song for a Musical or Comedy Visual Production | "Here I Am (Singing My Way Home)" | Nominated |
References
- Jamie Hartman, Jennifer Hudson, Carole King
- Respecthttps://deadline.com/2019/10/respect-mgm-aretha-franklin-biopic-rounds-out-cast-with-forest-whitaker-marlon-wayans-mary-j-blige-more-1202763774/
- "Put Some "Respect" On Her Name! Actress And Executive Producer Jennifer Hudson Shines At Premiere Of Aretha Franklin Biopic"https://bossip.com/2034604/respect-jennifer-hudson-red-carpet/
- www.commonsensemedia.orghttps://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/respect
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2021/film/box-office/ryan-reynolds-free-guy-box-office-opening-weekend-projections-1235038389/
- The Numbershttps://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Respect-(2020)
- Respect (2021)https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2452150/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2018/music/news/aretha-franklin-films-biopic-amazing-grace-jennifer-hudson-1202909105/
- The New York Posthttps://nypost.com/2021/07/30/aretha-franklin-said-jennifer-hudson-would-win-oscar-for-playing-her/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2019/film/news/mgm-aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-draws-liesl-tommy-1203104622/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2019/film/news/mgm-bron-creative-co-financing-deal-1203234526/
- The Atlanta Journal-Constitutionhttps://www.ajc.com/blog/radiotvtalk/exclusive-aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-starring-jennifer-hudson-shooting-georgia/yHWU4DJcGJCxvXL2VmKCXN/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2020/02/jennifer-hudson-wraps-production-aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-1202860933/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2020/film/news/jonathan-glickman-mgm-bond-michael-de-luca-1203456176/
- Allmusichttps://www.allmusic.com/album/respect-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-mw0003528226?1629509308199
- Qobuzhttps://www.qobuz.com/fr-fr/album/respect-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-jennifer-hudson/zksixnihqixpc
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/artist/jennifer-hudson/chart-history/rba/
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/9587862/jennifer-hudson-carole-king-aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-exclusive/
- Rolling Stonehttps://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/jennifer-hudson-carole-king-new-song-aretha-franklin-biopic-1185276/
- TheWraphttps://www.thewrap.com/aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-pushed-7-months-tomb-raider-2-now-unset/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2020/03/respect-jennifer-hudson-aretha-franklin-biopic-christmas-day-opening-1202893314/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2020/07/aretha-franklin-biopic-respect-going-wide-over-mlk-weekend-instead-of-christmas-platform-release-1202992194/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2019/12/jennifer-hudson-respect-aretha-franklin-biopic-teaser-trailer-first-look-1202814813/
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/2021/07/locarno-unveils-2021-line-up-abel-ferraras-ethan-hawke-starrer-zeros-and-ones-to-world-premiere-1234784724/
- "Respect (2021)"https://www.blu-ray.com/Respect/1233503/
- "Domestic 2021 Weekend 33"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/weekend/2021W33/?ref_=bo_hm_rw
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2021/08/ryan-reynolds-free-guy-weekend-box-office-1234814231/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2021/08/ryan-reynolds-free-guy-paw-patrol-weekend-box-office-1234819266/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2021/08/candyman-posts-sweet-thursday-night-with-1-9m-1234823246/
- "Australian Box Office Weekend Sales"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1393656577/weekend/
- "German Box Office Weekend Sales"https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1443988225/
- Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/respect_2021
- Metacritichttps://www.metacritic.com/movie/respect
- The New York Timeshttps://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/12/movies/respect-review-aretha-franklin.html
- RogerEbert.comhttps://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/respect-movie-review-2021
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2021/film/reviews/respect-review-jennifer-hudson-aretha-franklin-1235035155/
- Varietyhttps://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/08/jennifer-hudsons-aretha-franklin-biopic-deserves-more-respect
- Deadlinehttps://deadline.com/video/respect-review-jennifer-hudson-aretha-franklin-biopic/
- Awards Dailyhttps://www.awardsdaily.com/2021/08/14/portrait-of-the-artist-as-the-queen-of-soul/
- Timehttps://web.archive.org/web/20210929210214/https://time.com/6089994/jennifer-hudson-aretha-franklin-respect-review/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/lists/directors-favorite-films-2021-olivia-wilde-george-miller/
- "African American Film Critics Top 10 Films Led By 'The Harder They Fall', 'Respect', 'King Richard'"https://deadline.com/2021/12/african-american-film-critics-2021-best-films-winners-1234887128/
- "Will Smith, Jennifer Hudson, 'The Harder They Fall' Among Winners At AAFCA Awards"https://deadline.com/2022/01/will-smith-jennifer-hudson-winners-aafca-awards-1234913648/
- "'King Richard,' Will Smith and Tessa Thompson Win at Black Film Critics Awards"https://variety.com/2021/awards/news/black-film-critics-awards-winners-1235142112/
- Deadline Hollywoodhttps://deadline.com/2021/11/will-smith-ava-duvernay-antoine-fuqua-celebration-black-cinema-television-1234871362/
- "Detroit Film Critics Society Announces 2021 Nominations"https://detroitfilmcritics.com/detroit-film-critics-society-announces-2021-nominations/#more-3711
- Billboardhttps://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9655114/ariana-grande-beyonce-hollywood-music-in-media-awards/
- Hollywood Music in Media Awardshttps://www.hmmawards.com/2021-music-in-visual-media-nominations/
- Entertainment Weeklyhttps://ew.com/awards/peoples-choice-awards-2021-nominees-list/
- Benzingahttps://www.benzinga.com/content/22706052
- Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Filmhttps://www.blackreelawards.com/press-release
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2021/film/news/golden-globe-awards-hfpa-awards-calendar-1235090499/
- Golden Globe Nominations: 'Licorice Pizza,' 'Squid Game,' 'West Side Story,' and More|IndieWirehttps://www.indiewire.com/2021/12/golden-globe-nominations-2022-see-full-list-1234685129/
- Varietyhttps://variety.com/2021/music/news/grammy-nominees-nominations-2022-date-1235070250/
- "The NAACP Announce Nominees – Respect, Jennifer Hudson Among Them"https://www.awardsdaily.com/2022/01/18/the-naacp-announce-nominees/
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- "BELFAST, THE POWER OF THE DOG, Among Nominees for Top Honors at 26th Annual Satellite™ Awards"https://www.pressacademy.com/news/belfast-the-power-of-the-dog-among-nominees-for-top-honors-at-26th-annual-satellite-awards/
- "'Belfast,' 'The Power of the Dog' lead 26th Satellite Awards nominations"https://awardswatch.com/belfast-the-power-of-the-dog-lead-26th-satellite-awards-nominations/
- Los Angeles Timeshttps://web.archive.org/web/20220112143733/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-01-12/sag-nominations-2022-full-list-nominees?_amp=true
- "Society of Composers & Lyricists Awards Nominations: Miranda, Eilish, Jay-Z, Grande, Zimmer, Desplat, Warren & More"https://deadline.com/2022/01/society-of-composers-lyricists-awards-nominations-miranda-eilish-jay-z-grande-zimmer-desplat-warren-more-1234904051/