Review of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) by Filmol — 27 Feb 2021

This was one of my highly anticipated films. With a cast lead by Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman based on play by August Wilson, I was prepared for greatness but was disappointed. The main reasons this film didn’t succeed was due to the direction and screen adaption of the play. There were several films this year based on plays but Ma Rainey was the one that failed to translate to the screen.

Boseman was engaging, he along with the band members were the most interesting part of the film. With no disrespect, Boseman’s performance felt stagey as if he was trying to convey a major scene by emoting louder and faster. I thought I accidentally missed Davis’ scenes because she was hardly in the film. I believe in quality over quantity but even with that consideration her role didn’t make a lasting impact I would expect from a leading role. And Davis’ lip syncing didn’t help her performance. I realize the sense of claustrophobia in the band room is to reflect society’s oppression but overall the film felt stunted and never fully realized.