Tuesday, 13 April 2021

VOD: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (dir: George C. Wolfe, 2020)

"I got my time comin' to me."

Opened up only very slightly from August Wilson's play and set around an afternoon's music recording session in the 1920s, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is rich in period detail and character.  The fairly straightforward story is propelled by a powerhouse cast, led by two captivating and transformative performances from Chadwick Boseman (in sadly his final role) and Viola Davis, who are both simply stunning on screen here.  There is extra depth given by making the supporting band notably older that their real-life counterparts, and the film conveys a reals sense of style and authenticity that is very  enjoyable to watch.
 

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