“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Netflix Movie Review by Brooke Daugherty : Pop Culture Leftovers

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Netflix Movie Review by Brooke Daugherty

February 2, 2021 3:32 pm |

Ma Rainey was a larger than life singer called “The Mother of Blues” but has had very little mainstream media devoted to her life. A poem, a biography, and a play are the only real media centered on the performer herself.

Netflix’s adaptation of the August Wilson play, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a powerful depiction of the aforementioned Blues icon as well as Black culture. Wilson’s plays are about the Black experience and the best way to showcase his work and brilliant performances is to be distributed by a major streaming platform like Netflix.

The film was directed by George C. Wolfe, with the screenplay written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. It is one of nine of Wilson’s plays to be adapted for Netflix and produced by Denzel Washington, who previously starred in/directed/produced Fences also written by Wilson. Everyone pulls off amazing performances, but Viola Davis starring as the titular Ma Rainey and the last on screen performance of Chadwick Boseman steal the show.

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020): (L to R) Glynn Turman as Toldeo, Chadwick Boseman as Levee, Michael Potts as Slow Drag, and Colman Domingo as Cutler. Cr. David Lee / Netflix

The film centers on one afternoon in Chicago when Ma and her band are set to record at Paramount Studios. Davis is nearly unrecognizable with gold teeth, oily makeup and extra weight gained for the role (with assistance from a padded costume to take on Ma’s physicality.) Her performance as the
surly, yet talented legend was one of her best. Considering her body or work, that is high praise.

Boseman passed away from cancer before the post production of the film was completed. At the time of filming, he had long been diagnosed, but did not stop working. Looking back, his gaunt form should have clued the public into his health, but his phenomenal performances in SEVEN films over that time never gave away his plight. Boseman plays Levee Green, trumpeter in Ma’s band and aspiring songwriter/performer. Green goes from being an impetuous young man with big dreams to a man in
shambles. Boseman gives 110% the entire film even though his toughest scenes were all filmed at the end of the shoot.

I would be surprised if Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom doesn’t at least garner Oscar nominations, I will be surprised. If you have Netflix, don’t waste time reading any more reviews — just watch it. You won’t be disappointed unless you are looking for CGI, monsters, or wall to wall action.

PCL Rating: Tupperware

Rotten Tomatoes Rating: FRESH