Ma Rainey's Black Bottom in 117 words - Film Review
How do you make a profound film? Take one of our greatest playwrights, August Wilson (Pulitzer Prize); add the tortured, nuanced final performance of the late Chadwick Boseman as ambitious cornet player Levee; and anchor it with Viola Davis’ uncompromising seething portrait of the “Mother of the Blues” Ma Rainey. Let Levee seduce Ma Rainey’s pretty girlfriend (Taylour Paige) downstairs, while Ma is upstairs demanding her due from the white music men who want to exploit her prodigious talents. Highlight the scars of unendurable racism and how the different coping strategies divide the band members, and you have the elements of passionate truth-telling. Play-like in its staging, this is a film that must be seen and felt.
Here is the trailer:
Comments
Your 117 words gave me chills. I'd read the reviews, and this was over the top of them, by miles.
Your 117 words gave me chills. I'd read the reviews, and this was over the top of them, by miles.
Posted by: Tracy M Moore | 19 December 2020 at 13:03
As always, great review Sue. thanks Sheila
Posted by: Sheila Parks | 19 December 2020 at 15:56
One for my list! Thanks, Katz.
Posted by: Marj | 19 December 2020 at 16:44
My sister and I were talking about this movie this morning. She hasn't seen it yet; I did last night. I sent her the link to your review. Her comment:
"Great and insightful." I totally agree!
Posted by: Barbara Talkov | 19 December 2020 at 18:10
You gracefully put into words how I felt about the film. Thanks
Posted by: sandy | 21 December 2020 at 00:58