7.6 /10 1 Votes
91% Rotten Tomatoes Music director Laura Karpman | 6.3/10 IMDb Directed by Vondie Curtis-Hall Initial release 23 January 2016 (USA) Producer Jamie Goehring | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Produced by Craig Baumgarten (exec.)Kenneth "Babyface" EdmondsToni Braxton (also exec.)Erik Kritzer (exec.)Marcus Grant (exec.)Towanda Braxton Written by Susan McMartinToni Braxton (Book)Nicole Jefferson (Teleplay) Starring Lex Scott DavisDebbi MorganGavin HoustonCortney Scott WrightSkye P. MarshallLaToya FranklynTiffany Hines Productioncompany LINK EntertainmentLighthouse Pictures Nominations NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie Cast Similar Whitney, Abducted: The Carlina W, Twist of Faith, Aaliyah: The Princess, Eve's Bayou | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart (also known as Unbreak My Heart) is a 2016 American television biographical film about R&B singer Toni Braxton premiered at Lifetime Network on January 23, 2016.
Contents
It derives its title from Braxton's book Toni Braxton Unbreak My Heart a Memoir and her most notable hit Un-break My Heart. The film stars Lex Scott Davis as Toni Braxton, Debbi Morgan as Evelyn Braxton, Skye P. Marshall as Towanda Braxton, Tiffany Hines as Tamar Braxton and Gavin Houston as Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds. The film was directed by Vondie Curtis Hall and written by Susan McMartin, Toni Braxton and Nicole Jefferson.
Cast
Plot
The biopic follows the Toni Braxton's journey from her discovery by mega producers L.A. Reid and Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds, to her battle with Lupus. The movie also delves into how she made it through her public divorce all while navigating her son's autism and family struggles. "Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart" chronicles the untold measures the wildly talented artist took to make herself and her family whole again, becoming a global inspiration.
Background and release
On September 15, 2015 it was announced Lifetime Network green lighted the original movie, based on Toni Braxton's memoir "Unbreak My Heart". The film was shot in Vancouver, Canada during fall 2015 confirmed by Braxton in an interview with ABC News
In early December, 2015, Braxton announced the premiere date for the biopic on her Instagram account. On December 17, 2015 the trailer was released. On January 23, 2016 the biopic premiered in the United States on Lifetime TV and April 23, 2016 in the United Kingdom on Lifetime UK.
Critical reception
The film has been met with positive to mixed reviews from critics, celebrities and fans. Singer and producer Russell Simmons praised the movie "proud of my friend @tonibraxton - turned in to #ToniBraxtonMovie right now. One of great voices we're ever heard + such a remarkable woman." Hollywood.com gave a mixed response towards the biopic stating "Toni Braxton's biopic was like watching whip lash – heavily censored whip lash. There were so many parts left out that watching the movie felt like a parody at times. The casting wasn’t much better but aside from these glaring issues, the movie was very well watched and anticipated."
Ratings
The film's premiere generated 3.6 million viewers, earning the highest rating for an original movie with adults ages 25–54, women 25-54 and women 18-49 since "Whitney," the January 2015 biopic on Whitney Houston. The film has a IMDb raiting of a 6.5 out of 10 stars.
Home media
Toni Braxton: Unbreak My Heart was released digitally on to Amazon on January 22, 2016 and to DVD under the title Toni Braxton: The Movie Event on June 14, 2016 available in region 1 (U.S and Canada only).