The story told in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", the movie based upon the August Wilson's 1982 play, takes place in one day in a Chicago recording studio in 1927. The famous Ma Rainey (Viola Davis), legendary "Mother of the Blues" has come to town to record some records accompanied by her quartet of musicians, Levee (Chadwick Boseman), Toledo, Cutler, and Slow Drag. Only horn player Levee would like to write his own songs and arrangements, and play the music his way, "like the people in the big cities" want to hear, only Ma, a diva unlike any other, is having none of it.
Like all great plays - and director George Wolfe films this very tightly, you can tell that this was a play - lots of exposition takes place from different characters, particularly Levee, as we learn the backstories of the characters. Like all great dramas, this story makes you think and at times makes you uncomfortable. I'll not say more other than tell you that the final seen is ironic and tragic at the same time.
It's a great story, but you really want to see this movie for the performances of Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman.
Both are sure to receive Oscar nominations for their performances. The performance of Boseman is particularly wrenching when you realize what he was dealing with and nearing the end of a years long battle with cancer. That he could give such a performance is remarkable and a great testimony to a career and a life that ended way, way too soon.
The Grandstander gives this one Three and One-Half Stars, and will leave you with a scene from the movie...
I didn't like it as much as you. CB was a fine actor, but I struggled to get through the first hour of this one. I would have given two stars.
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