Luther: Never Too Much is a 2024 American documentary film written and directed by Dawn Porter, who also serves as an executive producer. It chronicles the life and career of R&B icon Luther Vandross, who died in 2005. The film premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024 and received positive critical reception.
| Luther: Never Too Much | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Directed by | Dawn Porter |
| Written by | Dawn Porter |
| Produced by | Trish D Chetty Ged Doherty Jamie Foxx Datari Turner Leah Smith |
| Cinematography | Bryan Gentry |
| Edited by | Mark Fason |
| Music by | Robert Glasper |
Production companies | Raindog Films[1] The Blue Moon Company[1] Foxxhole Productions[1] Trilogy Films[1] Sony Music Publishing[1] Sony Music Entertainment[1] |
| Distributed by | Giant Pictures CNN Films Oprah Winfrey Network |
Release dates |
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Running time | 101 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $202,796[2] |
Synopsis
editThe film follows Luther Vandross' nearly 40 years in the entertainment industry and highlights his career highs as well as battles with negative media attention focused on his weight and sexuality. Footage from his performances and archived interviews, as well as interviews with his associates are included. The film's subtitle is taken from one of Vandross' best known songs.[3]
Production
editTrish D Chetty and Ged Doherty began developing a film focused on Luther Vandross in 2018 through Raindog Films.[4] Director Dawn Porter's production company Trilogy Films joined in 2022. Raindog Films acquired the rights to produce from Vandross' estate.[4] The score was composed by Robert Glasper.[4] Jamie Foxx, Datari Turner, and Jon Platt are executive producers.[4]
Release
editLuther: Never Too Much premiered at Sundance Film Festival on January 21, 2024.[4] In May, CNN Films and the Oprah Winfrey Network acquired the SVOD distribution rights to the documentary, planning to air it on CNN, OWN and Max sometime in 2025.[5] In August, Giant Pictures and Sony Music Vision announced a plan to distribute the film theatrically in the fall.[6]
Reception
editLuther: Never Too Much received positive reception. The film received a 95% on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes. Valerie Complex praised director Dawn Porter in a Deadline review, "Porter constructs a portrait that strikes a delicate, graceful balance...For audiences lacking familiarity, Porter makes a case to appreciate Vandross’ contributions to music, and to culture. And for longtime fans, she has crafted an ode befitting our nostalgia while challenging any and all assumptions."[7] Variety writer Todd Gilchrist complimented the inclusion of Vandross's music in Luther: "Porter skillfully emphasizes just how much material he left behind, and offers generous enough snippets of it that her film feels simultaneously like biography and a musical anthology, a primer and invitation to explore him further."[3] Lovia Gyarke referred to the film as "essential viewing" in The Hollywood Reporter.[8]
Awards and nominations
edit- 2024 – Winner, Sarasota Film Festival, Industry Audience Award[9]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f Gyarkye, Lovia (21 January 2024). "'Luther: Never Too Much' Review: Dawn Porter's Ebullient Tribute to a Singular R&B Balladeer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "Luther: Never Too Much". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b Gilchrist, Todd (2024-01-21). "'Luther: Never Too Much' Review: Doc Explores the Thick and Thin of a Soul Legend's Legacy". Variety. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ a b c d e Daniel, Christopher A. (2024-01-15). "Director of Luther Vandross film says it's so much more than a music doc". NBC News. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ Patten, Dominic (15 May 2024). "'Luther: Never Too Much' Picked Up By CNN Films & OWN; Docu On R&B Legend To Air In 2025". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
- ^ "'Giant Pictures Announces Theatrical Release of Luther: Never Too Much, Celebrated Luther Vandross Documentary from Dawn Porter". Sony Music. 6 August 2024. Retrieved 20 September 2024.
- ^ Complex, Valerie (2024-01-28). "'Luther: Never Too Much' Review: Dawn Porter's Tribute To An R&B Icon – Sundance Film Festival". Deadline. Retrieved 2024-04-19.
- ^ Gyarkye, Lovia (2024-01-22). "'Luther: Never Too Much' Review: Dawn Porter's Ebullient Tribute to a Singular R&B Balladeer". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-04-20.
- ^ Morfoot, Addie (2024-04-15). "Sundance Films Take Top Prizes at 26th Annual Sarasota Film Festival". Variety. Retrieved 2024-04-19.