A bit overrated, but still an amazing film

Unshakable, witty and deeply felt, the film will be paying emotional dividends for a long, long time.

I enjoyed watching this film and would recommend other to give it a try , (as I am) but this movie, although enjoyable to watch due to the better than average acting fails to add anything new to its storyline that is all too familiar to these types of movies.

Story: It's very simple but honestly that is fine.

Richard himself had been talking about a movie of his life as far back as 1962; by '84 and the release of his first biography, by Englishman Chas White, it was a "go"! well....took about 14 years, and all the speculation about Michael Jackson or Prince as the Georgia Peach came to an end...Leon got the part..and he is excellent! Some wonderful scenes leading up to Richard's sudden (actually took about 4 years of flop recordings and Southern club dates) fame with the indescribable culture shocking TUTTI FRUTTI. Richard's parents are nicely portrayed; the doting MOm and the strict but eventually very supporting Dad.The film's "timeline" is so distorted that deep fans might want to pause the DVD and consider donating it to the local Library - but they should hang in there. There is still plenty of engrossing material, especially when we hear "new" recordings > a recut of LR's TAKE MY HAND, PRECIOUS LORD and a tune called VEGETABLE MAN. Depressingly, the soundtrack, otherwise, uses original '50s tracks, one crazy cut, MONEY HONEY, from 1964, and some 1976 rerecordings.One reviewer said that this picture needs a Part 2 and he is so right: we go from 1932 to 1962 and it's at that point that the most interesting time in his career starts: he endures a personal battle: does he come back from a rock and roll retirement (when he records nothing but Gospel) to please the loyal fans all around the world and presumably to recover a lot of lost bucks? I did not like the final scene at all.but check it out for yourself. ask yourself if the most influential artist in rock deserved a better biopic?

Tressa's vocal performance was Outstanding!! Tressa played the female singer role, while Richard was in the club. When she first step out on stage, and started to riff and strut her stuff, it made my soul shake. Her voice is platinum. She needs to make a CD. She has more fans then she realizes. I loved her show stopping performance in the five heart beats, which she also starred with Leon when she was younger. How can a little girl have a voice so big. She is truly amazing.Good voice Good Good Good Good voice voice voice voice excellent voice fantastic voice , back shaking , tear crying , uplifting, take you back in the days voice. Tressa if you read this commit, please take my advice and start recording a CD. If not just for the love of singing, but for your fans. I believe you can truly make it. Look at these other one hit single studio singers, lol.

This portrayal of Richard Penniman as a skirt-chasing dandy is completely the opposite of what I've seen of Little Richard all these years. Also, having friends in show biz who worked with and knew him well, this is a movie about somebody else! The only "hints" we get of his homosexuality are the knowing glances between Richard and his young singing mentor, who told him he needed to record. Yes, his behavior ranges from "regular guy" to "somewhat effeminate," but the character is inconsistent.Good lip-syncing by Leon and nice acting from Jenifer Lewis, as his supportive mother. Other performances were stereotypical, but the story does give us a clear picture of how black stars were cheated by low-down record shysters and literally robbed by white artists like Pat Boone, Georgia Gibbs and Gale Storm.

This is a very interesting story about the "Queen" of Rock 'n' Roll Little Richard Penniman. This movie stays true to the little I've researched. Actor turned director Robert Townsend gives us an intimate look at one of the founders of the music that changed the world. His abusive childhood to his bizarre beginnings in show business and his bowing out of an astounding career to preach the word of God. Then his energetic, but slightly noticed comeback. Thanks to Little Richard for "Lucille", "Long Tall Sally", "Tutti Fruitti" and his other hard, pulse pounding anthems. Leon is excellent in the starring role. Also of note in this biopic is Carl Lumbly, Tamala Jones, Anthony Griffith and Jonelle Kennedy. If you love Rock 'n' Roll and enjoy backing up your brain to its foundation you will enjoy LITTLE RICHARD.