Stardom practices and politics are crucial in popular culture, and will continue to grow as new celebrities enter the ranks. "Love to Love You, Donna Summer," co-directed by Brooklyn Sudano and Roger Ross Williams, uses this timeless interest as a personal retrospective. The documentary follows Donna Summer's career from Germany to the US, revealing her life behind closed doors. The opening scene features Donna singing the song, while the film cuts to an extreme-close-up of her doe eyes. The film explores Summer's indefinability, dichotomies, and suggests there's more to learn. "Love to Love You, Donna Summer" explores the highs and lows of Summer's career, as well as her struggles as a woman, mother, and new star. The film's heart lies in its narrative and structural relationships, with frequent narration from Summer's daughters and a focus on her childhood with a distant mother. The desire to understand Summer beyond her parenthood and into her personhood is the movie's foundation. Summer's Black womanhood is significant, as she navigates her adolescent years in Boston with her religious family to her eventual success as a sensual American disco star. She embodies passion and perseverance, breaking societal expectations and championing her identity as the power it was, despite being seen as a novelty. Summer's journey showcases her bold determination and passion for embracing her identity. "Love to Love You, Donna Summer" is a candid portrayal of Donna Summer, a pioneer and icon who constantly fought against herself. The documentary offers a glimpse into her music, but lacks a deeper understanding of her creations. While it provides insight into Summer's music, it may alienate those unfamiliar with her music. Fans of Summer will appreciate the film's depth and appreciation, while others may overlook the documentary's lack of breadth. Overall, "Love to Love You, Donna Summer" is a valuable documentary that showcases the impact of Donna Summer on music and her legacy. Summer's Black womanhood is evident in her life, from adolescent beginnings in Boston with her religious family to her eventual blossoming as a beacon of sensuality in the American disco scene. She embraced sex and championed her identity, despite being seen as a novelty. Her iconic songs, like "Love to Love You, Donna Summer," showcase her career benchmarks and ability to maintain relevance in changing times. Her hit "Love to Love You" emphasized her openness and leaning into sexual culture of the '70s, while "She Works Hard for the Money" pointed at her own label, which she sued for absent payments. Despite these peaks, Summer faced both upliftment and downfall, with the constant attention and influences of the industry burying her on a pedestal, creating a plaguing dichotomy.
