In Luther: Never Too Much, the documentary explores the life of Luther Vandross not only as a musical icon but also as a figure whose personal struggles, including those related to his sexuality, remained largely out of the public eye. Directed by Dawn Porter, the film touches on Vandross’ identity as a gay man in a time when coming out in the entertainment industry, especially for Black men, was particularly challenging.

The documentary highlights the tension between Vandross’ public persona and the pressures he faced to keep his private life, including his sexuality, hidden from mainstream media. It reflects on how his sexuality was often the subject of media speculation, with Vandross never publicly addressing the topic. This silence, combined with the industry’s expectations and homophobia at the time, forms a significant part of the film’s narrative.

By including interviews with friends and collaborators, the film offers a glimpse into how these issues affected Vandross’ emotional and personal life. His lifelong desire for privacy in a world where stars were often expected to be open about every facet of their lives is portrayed as both a defense mechanism and a reflection of societal pressures faced by many LGBT artists of his era.