Genius: Aretha (TV Miniseries)

"[It] shows us that the performer and the person were two very different sides of the legend. We all know the former. The latter remains too much a mystery." 

"Franklin found a voice as strong off the stage as she did on it (...) That kind of storytelling is when 'Genius: Aretha' really works, and there’s enough of it. Well, at least enough to make viewers listen to nothing but Aretha Franklin recordings for the rest of the month." 

"While inconsistent overall, the series shines brightest when it gives Aretha time and space to take the stage" 

"'Aretha' is a vibrant effort to give her artistry some R-E-S-P-E-C-T, even if we don’t entirely find out what it means to her." 

"[It] does a good job in showcasing Franklin's music (...) Like the best musical biographies, it enhances an appreciation of Franklin's life and career, with an ease and grace that makes it look easy." 

"Cynthia Erivo provides the requisite vocals yet is otherwise an empty version of the legendary singer in a shallow new series (…) Rating: ★★ (out of 5)" 

"Although it is the most cinematic of the 'Genius' installments because of Erivo’s spectacular performance, it never loses the feel that this is a series that requires one to listen to a supplemental podcast"