Based on the life and autobiography of the legendary soul singer, Tina Turner (Angela Bassett)—born Anna Mae Bullock—discovers her love of singing in the church choir in her hometown of Nutbush, Tennessee. She moves to St. Louis to pursue a career, and there she meets the charismatic Ike Turner (Laurence Fishburne), who rechristens her Tina and offers to help her succeed. As a musical team, Ike and Tina take the charts by storm. But as his physical abuse worsens, Tina has to make the tough decision to leave Ike and set out on her own.
“It’s a full-bodied, nuanced performance...Bassett’s turn is one of the most convincing fictional embodiments of a living performer…Fishburne as Ike Turner is also pitch-perfect. He maintains the shred of humanity that keeps his ultimately despicable character outside the danger zone of caricature.” —Leonard Klady, Variety
“The film has the advantage of two big stars Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne in lead roles, both of whom won Oscar nominations for their parts. Basset genuinely holds your sympathy as the little country girl Anna Mae Bullock, singing and suffering her way to superstardom and personal liberation, while Fishburne is sensational as suave, resentful and ultimately extremely violent Svengali Ike Turner” —Empire Online