Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Coleman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Michael Potts, Jeremy Shamos, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Dusan Brown

Director: George C. Wolfe

Based on the play "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" by August Wilson

Set in 1920's Chicago during a tumultuous day at a recording studio where "The Mother of Blues" Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) has come to record her album. While her band waits for her to arrive, Cutler (Coleman Domingo) attempts to get them warmed up so they can have a perfect recording session. Enter Levee (Chadwick Boseman), the headstrong trumpet player who has his ambitions set on taking the music world by storm (as well as Ma's girlfriend) and has set up this recording session as his break out moment thanks to his updated take on Ma's music being the version recorded. He even bought expensive new shoes to mark the occasion. Tensions rise throughout the day, as Ma doesn't take too kindly to Levee and her white manager and producer's attempts to undermine her music.

While not quite as powerful as Fences, this well shot and intense adaptation is filled to the brim with powerhouse performances and has a lot to say about ambition, success, and Black Culture.

Viola Davis, who won a Tony and an Oscar for her performance in Fences, and Chadwick Boseman command the screen. Each bring an intense and raw energy to the story that keep the film's energy moving. Boseman, in particular, has never been better and it's a shame this is the last chance his talent will grace our screens. His go for broke performance as Levee is very theatrical but he brings a tragic humanity to Levee that might not have come through in another actor's hands. It's hard not to watch his performance and think about his health, as he appears incredibly thin in the film. His dedication to any role was never in question despite his health.

While Davis and Boseman are the headliners, the rest of the cast is excellent. Coleman Domingo, who was excellent in If Beale Street Could Talk, shines as the exasperated band member who is attempting to keep the ship running despite the complications with Levee and the producers constantly trying to undermine Ma's music. And not to be forgotten are Glynn Turman and Michael Potts as the seasoned members of the band who want to make music and get paid.

While the acting is definitely the movie's strongest aspect, Director George C. Wolfe has put together a great looking film. The 1920's Chicago setting has been flawlessly recreated, well shot by Tobias Schliessler, and features fantastic music by Branford Marsalis.

The only aspect of the film that didn't work for me was Levee's pursuit of Ma's girlfriend played by Taylour Paige. It feels very outdated in its politics and is very underdeveloped.

Denzel Washington owns the rights to Wilson's work and while he is only a producer here, his involvement in his first two of Wilson's adaptations has brought incredibly raw and powerful successes. I can't wait to see the next adaptation.

Grade: B+

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is available on Netflix