Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

There is a magic to making a film adaptation of a stage play, especially the sort of play that is primarily set in one location, a conceit that works well on the stage but can feel limiting on the screen. But director Wolfe has tapped into that magic, making an electrically alive, lush film about a group of folks spending an afternoon in a room, making music, struggling with each other, and discussing the world. Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is fast paced, powerful, and goes far beyond the four walls it is set in.

Wolfe crafts a cinematic, operatic, and grand film with this story about a moment in time, a moment that sums up so much about the American experience. He's blessed using August Wilson's words and a cast that delivers a home run with those words. Wilson's play has set up a delicious battle of wills that examines power, gender, race. It's all a perfect storm of gloriousness. It's a treat from star to finish.

At the centre of this film are two stellar performances (not to distract from how wonderful the supporting cast is). Davis gives us another of her knock down, drag em out performances. Her Ma Bailey is a force of nature but also vulnerable and angry. She is an insurmountable talent and she is a black woman in Chicago who expresses herself and she is a queer force. All of this complicated humaness is personified in Davis' excellent work. And then there is Boseman in his much celebrated final role, a role that takes him to a new level. He has given outstanding performances but there is something here that is just.. lightning striking. The right role, right actor, right moment. He will be so missed.

When a film all comes together like this, the script, the performances, the direction, the music (from another amazing talent, Branford Marsalis with one of the best scores of the year) the art direction/costumes... everything, it is a luscious feast for audiences hungry for great film making.  

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Coleman Domingo, Michael Potts, Taylor Paige, Jonny Coyne

Director: George C. Wolfe

Writer: Ruben Santiago-Hudson