13 Awesome Performances In Otherwise Disappointing 2021 Movies

Jennifer Hudson's performance as the legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin in Respect is yet another excellent performance lost in yet another pedestrian biopic.

Respect certainly has its merits - remember, disappointing doesn't mean bad - but given how great an artist it's covering and given how long it'd been delayed thanks to the pandemic, most will no doubt wish it hadn't been quite so formulaic and badly structured.

Still, Jennifer Hudson shines brightly in the lead role. Not only is she a phenomenal singer who really does justice to Aretha Franklin's legendary vocal talents in the music sequences, but she also does a wonderful job with the acting side of things and depicts the highs and lows of Aretha Franklin's life with depth and nuance.

This is a very much a case where a film was elevated by its lead performer, since Hudson really is the beating heart and soul of the film. It's no wonder Franklin herself, who had been involved in the development of this biopic prior to her death, wanted Hudson to play her.