Directors / Nick Broomfield and Rudi Dolezal

To the public, the tragic passing of Whitney Houston is yet another example of a drug problem being a contributing factor towards taking the life of a supremely talented and worldwide famous artist. It just happens all too often. This new documentary, WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME examines the possible, and often probable reasons that led to Whitney’s drug taking, drug addiction, demise and eventual death, at just 48 years of age.

Several claims, opinions and perhaps even facts are discoursed by a number of sources who were close in various ways to this iconic singer. Not everything you hear in these interviews will be agreeable, and that is absolutely fine for the greatest voice of all belongs to Whitney Houston herself.

For so many years, we’ve grown accustomed to those perfect vocal chords being the outlet for her powerful voice to be heard. Sure enough, WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME is a reminder (if we needed one) of just how beautifully she could sing, as footage from her live performances used in this documentary exemplify. But as shown in this film, it is the stuff that is happening backstage and out of sight of the public eye to Whitney that communicates equally as powerful. Previously unseen footage taken from Whitney’s childhood and beyond grant this film’s viewers a number of moments to observe and perceive the physical and emotional toll everything combined was taking.

Though the structure and presentation of WHITNEY: CAN I BE ME is not of the same outstanding quality as AMY, a similar portrait focusing on British singer/songwriter Amy Winehouse, it incorporates various outlets of insight and provokes reasonable questioning to be of appeal beyond fans only.