What's Love Got To Do With It? MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

This gripping account of Tina Turner's rise to stardom opens with the young Tina (Rae'Ven Kelly), known then as Anna Mae, singing in the church choir. The teenage Anna Mae moves to St. Louis in 1958, where she meets singer and band leader, Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne). A gullible, starry-eyed Tina (Angela Bassett) falls for Ike, becomes a singer with his band and is soon sexually involved with him. When she becomes pregnant, they quickly marry in Mexico, and their troubles begin. Ike abuses Tina, both verbally and physically even though he buys her a beautiful home and clothes. The abuse of Tina and occasionally the children continues for over 15 years during tours that take the Turners all over the world. Ike turns to drugs and other women, and Tina to Buddhism. This true story is well acted and often intense.

Tina Turner sincerely attempts to be a good mother and maintain her principles. The violent scenes of Ike beating Tina are graphic, but relevant. He even rapes her once in a sound booth. Tina tries to rationalize Ike's actions, but drugs and alcohol clearly lead to his abusive behavior and failing career. The musicians appear in numerous bars and clubs, with accompanying drinking and smoking. Their nightclub act consists of sexually suggestive dance movements with the women in tight, revealing dresses. One scene of sexual intercourse between Ike and Tina is graphic with sounds, but no nudity. WHAT'S LOVE is intense and dramatic enough without the overdose of 57 obscenities and 12 profanities. Based on Tina's autobiography, this film dramatizes how the powerful and evil influence of drugs can ruin lives. WHAT'S LOVE is intense and dramatic enough without the overdose of obscenities, profanities and sexual content.

Preview Reviewer: Alice Anderson
Distributor: Buena Vista Distribution, 3900 W. Alameda Ave., Burbank, CA 91521