“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” (2020)starring Viola Davis & Chadwick Boseman / Z-View

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Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020)

Director:  George C. Wolfe

Screenplay: Ruben Santiago-Hudson; based on Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom by August Wilson

Stars: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Colman Domingo, Jeremy Shamos, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Joshua Harto and Quinn VanAntwerp.

Tagline: Everything Comes Out in the Blues.

The Plot…

In 1927, Ma Rainey is a radio sensation.  Her blues renditions are in demand.  Ma Rainey is in demand and is going to make the best of it.  Ma suffers no fools.  Although black in an age of Jim Crow, Ma Rainey defers to no one.

Ma Rainey has contracted to make a record for white producers.  Her regular band members show up early and begin getting ready.  As they warm up, Levee Green, the band’s trumpeter arrives.  Mel Sturdyvant, the white record producer is getting nervous since Ma isn’t there.  Levee sees an opportunity and talks to Mr. Sturdyvant about recording Leeve’s songs.  The rest of the band sees that as in insult to Ma.  Ma will not be happy if she learns Leeve is trying to undercut her.  She’ll be even more upset if she learns Leeve is putting the moves on Ma’s girl, Dussie Mae.

Finally Ma arrives.  When Ma sees that some of her requests for performing weren’t honored, she becomes irritated.  Mr. Sturdyvant and Ma begin to butt heads.  Ma says she won’t perform until she is satisfied.  Tensions rise.

Who would have thought that a simple recording session would lead to murder.

Thoughts (beware of spoilers)…

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom was nominated for five Academy Awards and won two…

  • Nominee Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role: Chadwick Boseman
  • Nominee Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role: Viola Davis
  • Nominee Best Achievement in Production Design: Mark Ricker (production design), Karen O’Hara (set decoration), Diana Stoughton (set decoration)
  • Winner Best Achievement in Makeup and Hairstyling: Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal, Jamika Wilson
  • Winner Best Achievement in Costume Design: Ann Roth

Denzel Washington was one of the film’s producers and had mentored Chadwick Boseman since Boseman’s college days.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is Chadwick Boseman’s final film.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a rare film where it all comes together.  A great screenplay, adapted from a superb play, with an excellent director leading a wonderful cast.  I’m surprised Viola Davis didn’t win the Oscar for Best Actress.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020) rates 5 of 5 stars.