Rating: R – restricted
Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes
Genre: Musical/Drama
Release Date: November 25, 2020
Information:
This amazing film is produced by Denzel Washington and is based on the August Wilson play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. The film features a bone-chilling performance from the late Chadwick Boseman, with Viola Davis as the title character. Davis actually performs the songs in the movie herself, honing her vocal talent to embody the persona and swagger of Ma Rainey. Boseman and Davis have both been nominated for a slew of awards by various associations including the Screen Actors Guild, BAFTA, and the Golden Globes.
Basia’s Rating: 4.5 out of 5 hearts
The film is truly amazing and unique. It felt as if I was dropped right into the 1920s, a time filled with big personalities and music. Additionally, it presents viewers with characters who they quickly come to know at an intimate level. The cinematic piece presents a unique snapshot of the 1920s as it brings up issues of race and class within the period, as well as the historical misuse and abuse of black artists at the hands of white producers. The only thing that leads to me taking off half a star would be the fact that the movie still felt very much like a play to me. I could imagine watching it in an auditorium, lights focused on the characters and lights dimmed in the audience. However, I found that more play-like staging and acting, in my opinion, made some of the interactions odd to watch. I appreciate the truthfulness to the original work of August Wilson and the art that is theatre, in fact, I quite enjoy it. But, I can see how others might not like the staging style. Additionally, one thing that I absolutely loved about the film was the emotion and attitude portrayed by both Davis and Boseman in their respective roles. Similarly, I loved contemplating the symbolism of the closed door and Leeve constantly trying to push through it. Overall, the film does the August Wilson play justice and should be added to everyone’s watch list as it is an amazing meditation on African-American art and struggles.