I remember the first time I heard Strange Fruit. I was in college and it was Nina Simone's version. But it shook me in a way I didn't know music could. Clearly I'm not alone in that. The United States Vs. Billie Holiday frames this biopic of the famous singer, the singer responsible for making the song as famous as it is, around her relationship with this song, and the song's relationship with her country.
Director Lee Daniels has as style that speaks to me. There is a garishness to it, a queer boldness that makes mainstream film criticism uncomfortable. His work is often unfairly described as "a mess" or some other excuse for just not getting it. He doesn't shy away from this audeacity here and it fits with this story, framing the singer's journey as one outside of normative communities that both idealized her and tore her down. Daniels (and screenwriter Parks) makes a beautiful film to watch that considers all the complications and intersections of race, sexuality, and gender in this life of this icon. It is a film worthy of her legacy. It will make the establishment uncomfortable, like she did.
Day makes a glorious turn. She hasn't done much film work before this but she breaks out with a wonderful, brave, and complicated performance. Her performances as a singer in the film are also remarkable, producing a new song, the incredibly gorgeous Tigress & Tweed, and tributes to Holiday's classics, which are all so beautifully rendered. The film uses music so well. All of Me is also placed and referenced so perfectly in this narrative. But the film holds a special place for Strange Fruit, a place it rightfully deserves.
Bold and riveting, which accurately describes both the film and the lead performance, The United States Vs. Billie Holiday is a treat for the eyes and the ears.
The United State Vs. Billie Holiday
Starring: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Natasha Lyonne, Garrett Hedlund, Leslie Jordan, Da'Vine Joy Randolf, Rob Morgan, Miss Lawrence, Evan Ross, Tyler James Williams, Tone Bell
Director: Lee Daniels
Writer: Susan-Lori Parks
No comments:
Post a Comment