Variety Review of Framing Britney Spears

[Justin Woodpond]

Variety posted a rather interesting review of ‘The New York Times Presents: Framing Britney Spears’.    

Firstly, those that are anxious that the documentary will be very one sided i.e pro-conservatorship and pro-team con, it’s not. So, we can breath a huge sign of relief. If anything it tips ever so slightly in the other direction. 
 

The reviewer Daniel D’addario’s overall take is a positive one (Britney matters), and suggests the documentary is fairly “balanced” in its depiction of her current situation (i.e the conservatorship). But, with regards to how the public (fans included) treat her (now and in the past), as an artist and human being, this is the biggest tragedy of all.     
 

Here are main takeaways from the article of what we can expect to see in the documentary.     
 

Spoiler: If you don’t want know anything about what’s to come, stop reading now.    
 

1. Brit is presented as both a fascinating example of how our culture treats those we allegedly love, and as a deeply sad case of abuse.    

2. Audio of Timberlake speaking crudely on the radio about Spears (no doubt about her virginity) appears on the documentary. 

3. They use footage of 10 year old Britney singing “Love Can Build a Bridge” on “Star Search”.
 

4. Fe speaks extensively (and lovingly) about Brit the artist, and human being.  She’s there to humanise Brit.

5. Hosts of a podcast (likely Britney’s Gram) discuss theories about Spears’ legal situation. 

6. The documentary touches on a number of conspiracy theories that “fans” obsess over (like Britney communicating in code). Implying, the online “fandom” is as damaging to Britney the “star” as the conservatorship is.

7. The conservatorship is openly discussed, with commentary from all sides (see below), including FreeBritney fans, (FreeBritney advocate Leanne Simmons is already confirmed).  
 

8. The conservatorship appears to be  part of a lifelong pattern of “misuse” in Spears life, and career. $$$$

9. There is an interview with a Conservatorship lawyer who had been on, and later rejoined, Spears’ father’s legal team. Likely Vivian Lee Thoreen (it couldn’t be Andrew Wallet, or could it)?

10. The documentary reproduces footage from “For The Record” of Spears yearning to be freed from the conservatorship, and being sad.    
 

11. Brit’s silence on her situation is its own tragedy, because it would appear that the situation has caused the silence. She has a story to tell (like her contemporaries). But she is the only one who can tell it (like her contemporaries).

12. Finally, the article/documentary claims that fame was another kind of captivity for Spears, albeit one with more “liberties”. Suggesting, that before her “controlling” father, the culture that idolised her had kept her captive too. Namely, the public never saw her as a real person. Just a puppet, and someone to project on. 
 

https://variety.com/2021/tv/reviews/framing-britney-spears-review-fx-1234892912/  

The 75 minute documentary airs Friday February 5th, at 10 PM, on FX and Hulu.

[GregReid]

Thank you for posting this 

[britneyluv]

I. CANNOT. WAIT. FOR. THIS! February 5th hurry up!

[rr_174]

is in february? i saw a comment that in 3 more days was out 

[LordofTheMoodRing]

Glad that they are showing respect to her as a person and as a boss azz betch. She is very intelligent and savy. I think she just needs her freedom and a darn break from every betch lol then she’ll kick our butts with a new era

[Midnight]

Wow this is very interesting thanks for sharing @Justin Woodpond 

[jordeezy river red]

Hopefully they drag the media instead of blaming fans lol

[Frankie8]

Thanks for sharing this . I really wanted this to be fairly balanced and it appears it will be.

[generation glory]

This is what I expected it to be and tbh it sounds so . Initially I was apprehensive but then Adam Streisand resurfaced, immediately locking down his socials (can’t say I blame him), then it’s confirmed that Felicia is part of it that was it for me. So I’m like, yeah whatever. But of course I’ll watch it anyway.

I was always and still am SO DISAPPOINTED in Britney: For The Record. Mainly because it shouldn’t have happened. It was more or less propaganda. Britney didn’t seem to want to do it either. Then a lot of what she DID SAY that was likely truly revealing got cut. WHERE IS THE AUTHENTIC FTR FOOTAGE???? She wasn’t very forthcoming but I understand that’s because things were so fresh she hadn’t had time to really come to terms with EVERYTHING that led to 2/2008... she needed time to heal from & process her trauma. Cship silenced her from day ONE. It was a bandaid not a cure. Still is. Then came the isolation and manipulation of Britney & the public via TMZ.
 

She never was given that time and space to recover because of the push from those involved in her c’ship, business, public/fan’s expectations/pressures, her family and yes US the fans demanding Britney give us more! How ironic. 🙄And the other reason FTR is disappointing to me is simply because fans ate it up, raving over it. Now the same ones are re-examining it with a more critical eye and finally seeing what they REFUSED to acknowledge nearly 13 years ago!!!
 

Britney’s forced silence says soooo much! Even when she spoke up nobody listened. I’ll be forever grateful to Britney’s Gram for dropping that game changing podcast. They’re shady af but if not for that “emergency episode” this fan base would’ve never woken up and there’d be no Free Britney... which should’ve taken off in 2008 but I digress.☹️

 I agree that fans are just as bad as Britney’s handlers. Idk if it’s because of the age of some of you or just selfishness or Stanning too hard. If you love Britney let go of her AND the Britney Brand. Yes, let her go. Stop buying vinyls, perfumes and ****. This documentary is a stepping stone to possibly something better, so I’m grateful it’s happening regardless.

[RadicalOptimism]

Even if it’s regurgitated information I’m sure there is going to be plenty of new information for the GP to digest. This is a step in the right direction even if we already know everything that’s been disclosed. This documentary is mostly for those that may be unaware or have limited knowledge on her situation. I’m here for it 

[PokemonSpears]

I hope the Gram Girls make good, clear points to counter Thoreen's.

 

I didn't like that last comment of the reviewer though. Real fans never wanted her to "consume her as she fell". We never wanted her to see her fall in the first place. It wasn't the fans, but the general public that loves gossip or that just hate to see a pretty, "untalented" woman thrive who kept the business running for the paparazzi. And about the culture that idolized her keeping her captive, that sounds too dramatic too. I mean, it might be true depending how you see it, but I don't think it's that different from any other singer or actor that has signed a deal and has to keep working. 

It's not the first time I read this sort of narrative of fans sharing the blame with the people that have taken away her freedom and basic rights. Again, depending on the view you may argue the whole idol-fan culture has its own toxicity and consequences, but that's a completely different story that has nothing to do with her being put under a conservatorship for 13 years, or otherwise every other famous person would be in the same situation as hers, so I don't even know why mix those things up. We're not the ones that told them to put her under a conservatorship, or to name Jamie Spears as the conservator, or to deny her the right to hire a lawyer, or the ones that made the conservatorship indefinitely permanent.

[brit4u1998]

As long as it's pro-letting Britney free, I hope it can give the public a taste of how damaging the conservatorship is! 

[lilhennythings]

Thanks for this!!

[electricopop]

I hope this documentary will shed more light for her to be free!!!

Can't wait to watch it!

[girl_bye]

honestly all i want is for the gp to take freebritney seriously, and if this docu will help then im supporting it

[pubsluft]

75 minutes?! 

[britneyluv]

22 minutes ago, pubsluft said:

75 minutes?! 

RIGHT?! FTR 2.0.... except this time the filmmakers are actually trying to free Britney rather than show her depressed and miserable but with the overall message that "this is what she needs" 

[thisforumwhacknow]

Promote this premiere on your FB & IG y'all and tell your followers to watch... let's get the GP fired up! #ENDTHECON

[IconicShow]

In the end I’m glad that this is going to be talked about and hope it trends on Twitter upon its premiere! I do think fans could calm down more and stop spreading lies and talking about things they have no proof of or any receipts! I think the conspiracy of dancing in a mirrored camera, and some of the other conspiracy theorists are causing more damage than good! The end goal is Britney’s autonomy and freedom we know that’s what she wants it’s factual however people should ask themselves are they helping or hurting the movement when they want to drag Lynne, Fe, Billy B and others! Support and love is what Britney needs not extra lies being made up and fans going overboard! Stick to the court docs and the legit sources and the facts that we know those hold more power than spreading lies and untruths you have no proof of!

[S0ggyBiscuit]

I'm still in shock that this has been her reality for over a decade...

Power to her strength!