The New York Times documentary Britney Framing crashed on Hulu on February 5, and Justin Timberlake is already experiencing adverse reactions because of his previous treatment of Britney Spears.
Although the documentary intended to explore the #FreeBritney movement and its ongoing tutelage, fans stuck to a part of the document that reexamined their relationship with the former * NSYNC member, which lasted from 1998 to 2002. After one of the breakups most dramatic in pop history, Spears’s reputation has taken a huge hit.
The film discusses how Timberlake pushed the narrative that Spears had betrayed him – and the public reaction was severe. “The way people treated her, being very collegial, it was like she was the school slut and he was the defender”, NYT general critic Wesley Morris says in the film.
Morris suggests that Timberlake used his “Cry Me a River” music video to place the blame on Spears. It is almost frightening to hear Timberlake, the alleged victim, scoff at having sex with Spears in a disgusting post-end radio interview featured in the documentary.
“Justin Timberlake did a lot of shit for which he needs to apologize, but Britney’s treatment is at the top of the list,” wrote a Twitter user. “I want a public apology and an acknowledgment of the wrong he did.”
It should be noted that in 2006 – four full years after the breakup – Timberlake released another potential cover-up, “What Goes Around … Comes Around”, while Spears was publicly struggling with his second divorce and sobriety.
Fans are also reflecting on how the pop star has been treated throughout her career – from incessant press questions about her virginity and body to the misogynistic response to her separation from Timberlake.
The documentary highlights a 2003 interview with Diane Sawyer, where the journalist apparently justified a quote from the wife of former Maryland governor Kendel Ehrlich, stating that she would shoot Britney Spears if she had the chance. “Oh, this is awful. This is very bad, ”said Spears in response to the quote. “Because of the example for children and how difficult it is to be a father,” says Sawyer.
“I would like to know personally better then,” Terron Moore tweeted. “It is nothing short of terrifying to see so clearly established what we, as a culture, have done to this woman who absolutely deserved none of that.”
Britney’s framing is available for broadcast on Hulu.