A straight-forward, empathetic, and stylistically flashy documentary biopic about one of the finest voices in music history, Luther: Never Too Much – the opening night film for this year’s Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival – doesn’t offer up anything all that new or revelatory about its subject, but it does nicely illustrate what made them so special.
One of the most sought after backing vocalists of the 1970s and heralded as a “one take wonder,” Bronx born Luther Vandross had a spot on tenor that lent itself so naturally to soul tracks that were smooth as silk and cleaner than a bar of soap. After working with the likes of Bette Midler, David Bowie, and Marvin Gaye, and following a shockingly lucrative side-hustle as a commercial jingle writer, Vandross bet on himself in 1980s and became an established, acclaimed solo artist in his own right, becoming one of the most prominent figures in the “quiet storm” sub-genre of R&B. But battles with fluctuating weight, nagging and intrusive questions about his sexuality, personal tragedies, and a self-deprecating sense of humour that often hurt as much as it helped led to a career that ebbed and flowed continuously throughout his too short life.
Directed by Dawn Porter (Gideon’s Army, The Me You Can’t See), Luther: Never Too Much achingly tells the story of a person who wanted crossover success in the music industry, but who was seeking a greater kind of love overall. Through wonderful archival footage and a selection of interviews with admirers, contemporaries, and collaborators, Luther: Never Too Much shows some vulnerability, but largely plays up the legend; the man who would proudly (and rightfully) exclaim to concertgoers: “We do not play around with your ticket money.”
A lot about Vandross’ notoriously guarded private life remains cryptic here, and any talk of sexuality is approached with a concerned degree of caution. Without that deeper personal context, it always feels like Porter is only showing about three-quarters of a complete picture. Luther: Never Too Much is respectful almost to a fault, but there’s still a lot of love and admiration that can’t be denied. Nor should it be. He was that great of an artist.
Thursday, April 25, 2024 – 6:30 pm – Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema Opening Night Film
Thursday, April 25 – 9:30 pm – Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
Saturday, April 27 – 9:15 pm – Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema
This film was originally screened as part of the 2024 Sundance Film Festival.
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