Netflix Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

[Jake Lipson]

Title: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Tagline: It would be an empty world without the blues.

Genre: Drama, Music

Director: George C. Wolfe

Cast: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Jeremy Shamos, Dusan Brown, Joshua Harto, Antonio Fierro, Roger Petan

Release: 2020-12-18

Runtime: 93

Plot: Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson's play.

 

[Jake Lipson]

This is the adaptation of August Wilson's play. It stars Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in what is unfortunately going to be his last movie appearance.

What a way to go out, though. This looks great.

 

[Matt Hough]

I am really looking forward to this.

 

[JoeStemme]

George C. Wolfe's film of the August Wilson play never strays too far from it's stage origins. Despite the title, this isn't a bio-pic of the famed blues singer who was a contemporary/rival of Bessie Smith. The main events take place at one recording session which includes Ma Rainey's signature song in 1927 Chicago. It's an ensemble piece through and through with more time devoted to her band than the vocalist herself. Viola Davis dominates her screen time with a boisterous performance. Layered with greasepaint and sweat she belts out the tunes while also dishing out her own brand of diva demands.

The band scenes are similarly commanded, this time by Chadwick Boseman as a hotshot up and coming horn player named Levee. And, it's not simply because of Boseman's tragic early fate, but, the character is central, and the talented actor brings it his all. Proud and angry on one hand, but needy and wounded on the other. It's a galvanizing performance. The supporting cast are all quite good, but, it's hard for them to breathe with Davis and Boseman taking turns under the spotlight.

This movie adaptation doesn't really expand upon Wilson's play, even with a few 'outside' scenes added. Still, it's themes of the tensions that artists of color had to endure (usually at the beck and call of white Producers). And, Davis and, especially, Boseman's performances were certainly worth preserving in a motion picture.