‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ Review

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Netflix

This was a last-minute binge trying to watch as many Golden Globe-nominated things as I could before the award ceremony. Even though I hadn’t watched it, I did predict that Chadwick Boseman would win for Best Actor. And I was correct, so I’m glad I got a chance to see the performance.

The acting was excellent as was the casting but it is a heavy, heavy movie. Inspired by the real Ma Rainey, a successful Black blues singer in the 1920s, this movie takes place in Chicago. Although Ma is the heart of the film, most of the time is spent learning about the heartwrenching stories of her band.

Ma Rainey’s was originally a play, and I don’t generally love film adaptations of plays. Don’t get me wrong, I do love a good play on Broadway, but when it’s adapted into a film it’s all set in one room and heavy on the dialogue. I like a little more action in my movies.

I am: Entertained