Trailer
Plot summary
Raised in Nutbush, Tennessee, Anna Mae Bullock sees her mother Zelma leave with her sister Alline and is consoled by her grandmother Georgeanna. As a teenager she moves to St. Louis to rejoin them, and Alline takes her to an East St. Louis nightclub where Ike Turner performs with his Kings of Rhythm. Anna sings for Ike, impresses him, and becomes the first frontwoman of his band, with the Ikettes as backing. Their record 'A Fool in Love' is a hit, and the two become romantically involved. A radio announcement gives her the name Tina Turner. They marry in Tijuana, the revue becomes a national sensation, and the couple moves to Los Angeles. Ike's ex-girlfriend Lorraine Taylor leaves their two sons with them. When Anna says Ike's music sounds the same, he beats her in front of their sons.
Cast
- Rae'Ven Larrymore Kellyas Young Anna Mae (as Rae'Ven Kelly)
- David McKinneyas Choir Member
- Dororthy Thortonas Choir Member (as Dorothy Thornton)
- Demetrice Cheathonas Choir Member
- Nita Woods Allenas Choir Member
- Helen Marie Lovelaceas Choir Member
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about What's Love Got to Do with It (1993)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- The infamous "eat the cake Anna Mae" scene was an exaggerated reenactment of a real incident: Tina recalled that someone brought her a pound cake she had not ordered while they sat in a car, and Ike ordered her to eat all of it while he watched.
- Director Gibson had no contact with Ike while making the film: "I never spoke to him. I was not allowed to. Disney felt that it would not be a good idea."
- Whitney Houston was actually offered the lead role, alongside Halle Berry, Robin Givens, Pam Grier, Janet Jackson and Vanessa L. Williams, who were all considered, but Houston had to decline due to imminent maternity.
- Tina Turner publicly rejected the film's victim narrative, telling Vanity Fair in 1993 that she had been in control every minute and resented Disney portraying her as a woman who was a victim to a con man.
- The real Ike turned up at the Turners' former home in View Park during a location shoot, signing autographs and showing Fishburne his walk, in the actor's only meeting with him.
- Laurence Fishburne was offered the role of Ike five times and turned it down each time, saying of the script he first read: "It was pretty one-sided."
