The story of Aretha Franklin is being told in two different formats – A series from National Geographic called Genius: Aretha, and in a feature film called Respect. I’ve seen both.

I decided to review the story of her life individually as opposed to rating each individual production as the story is the same just with different deliveries.

Story: I have said before that the value of a biopic is that it’s easy to fact check. The value of any biopic is it’s accuracy followed by its detail – exactly how much of that persons life is being told…

Luckily, there aren’t a lot of deviations from Aretha Franklin’s life. Both versions tell pretty much the same story with many of the same critical moments. And while many films turn on the value of the story, these versions really focus on the performances of the title character…

Performances: In the Genius series, Cynthia Erivo plays Ms. Franklin as she liked to be called and Jennifer Hudson plays her in the film, Respect. This is a tough one for a lot of reasons…

Jennifer Hudson was hand picked by Aretha Franklin before her 2018 death to play her in the film. Jennifer Hudson’s delivery is louder and more biting. Cynthia Erivo’s delivery is a bit more subtle. My thought is that Ms. Franklin was all of those things.

I was lucky enough to have been around for all of the reinventions of her career, clear back to the 1960’s so, I don’t doubt that everything I see in these films and deliveries is a real possibility. It all tracks. But neither delivery stood out as outstanding. Story is interesting, but not sure I’m on board with any #Oscars or #Emmys.

Of note: Courtney B. Vance as C. L. Franklin in the Genius series is truly convincing in a supporting role. Possible Emmy? Yes. Forrest Whitaker as Reverend Franklin in the film Respect is not as memorable. Also, Mary J. Blige as Dinah Washington makes you sit up in your seat and pay attention for just a few minutes. Would not be surprised if she got nominated for that brief but very pointed delivery…

Visual: Most films and series with the element of musical performances hits the mark for costumes and wardrobe because of the spectacle they need to create. Neither of these versions of Ms. Franklin’s story leave out her ability to show that she was the Queen of Soul. She was known for her wardrobe on and off the stage. Spot on in both versions.

Rating: I’m not rating either of them because again, the value here is in the story and I don’t think either is better or worse than the other. The dividing line between Genius: Aretha and Respect is subtlety and it comes out in the deliveries. All of them. The series is quieter and more subtle. The film is more biting. But both succeed in telling Ms. Franklin’s story.

See them both and decide for yourself. It’s a fun comparison…