Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Name: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Genre: Drama, Music
Released: November 25, 2020
Duration: 94 min
Rating: 87
Cast: Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Dusan Brown, Glynn Turman, Jeremy Shamos

2020

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 46 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 173 Ratings

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6.7

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6.7	Your Score
6.7	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 173 Ratings

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Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

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Movie Details & Credits

Netflix | Release Date: November 25, 2020 | R

Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Colman Domingo, Dusan Brown, Glynn Turman, Jeremy Shamos, Jonathan Coyne, Joshua Harto, Michael Potts, Taylour Paige, Viola Davis

Movie Facts:

Available on Netflix December 18.

Summary: Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of herTensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.… Expand

Director: George C. Wolfe

Genre(s): Drama, Music

Rating: R

Runtime: 94 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Moira Macdonald

Dec 19, 2020

It’s also a celebration of language — Wilson’s glorious storytelling is given its due by this masterful ensemble cast, who weave colorful tapestries with his words — and of music’s transformative power. Read full review

100

Ty Burr

Nov 24, 2020

Boseman makes the character’s eyes glitter with humor and rage and fear; Levee knows what he deserves and how far it remains out of his reach, and maybe so did the man playing him. It’s a magisterial performance. Read full review

Okla Jones

Dec 18, 2020

As the world continues to mourn the loss of Chadwick Boseman, his last performance will serve as a magnificent reminder of the actor’s talent, and an exclamation point on a life that inspired a generation. Read full review

Sarah Hagi

Dec 17, 2020

Watching a film knowing it will be the last time you see a true talent immortalized on screen is a wildly moving experience. And with Ma Rainey – a film that is stacked with talent, chemistry and life – fans of Boseman couldn’t ask for a better goodbye. Read full review

Alonso Duralde

Nov 20, 2020

Even if this version never shakes off its stage roots, it does act as a stately jewel box that houses an extraordinary ensemble of performances. Read full review

David Rooney

Nov 20, 2020

Like the film of Fences, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is too inextricably welded to its theatrical conception to become fully cinematic, even with Schliessler's lustrous visuals and the deluxe trappings of Mark Ricker's period production design, Ann Roth's gorgeous costumes and Branford Marsalis' jazzy underscoring. But watching actors of this caliber lose themselves in characters of such aching humanity is ample reward, with Boseman's towering work standing as a testament to a blazing talent lost too soon. Read full review

Angelica Jade Bastien

Jan 6, 2021

Ma Rainey postures toward being an actor’s showcase, but its storytelling — and its actorly pitfalls — prohibit that from being the reality. Read full review

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User Reviews

katezoe

Dec 20, 2020

The performances by Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman are spectacular. The underlying story is heartbreaking. Direction by George C. Wolf is wonderful. One of the best films of 2020.

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

LISOCHIKOTOSA

Feb 23, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. One of my favorite films i watched in 2020. The performances from Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman and Taylour Paige are absolutely phenomenal. The film is relatively short but it cuts to the bone, exploring various themes and shedding light on America in the 1920's. Viola did such a great job portraying a very strong-willed, larger than life character.This was also Chadwick's last performance and he gave it his all. He did absolutely well in his role and he has done us proud. The costumes, lighting and setting were pretty good as well. I am still in awe.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

Richard552

Aug 11, 2022

You can tell that she embodies any character given to her, and that is why she is always amazing.$1 to buy a Netflix account, Google search: vtvshare

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Ianob

Jan 19, 2021

Great acting but play may have been cut down too much too allow it to reach its full emotional impact. A fitting epitaph to the talent of Chadwick Boseman who is exceptional.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

moviemitch96

Dec 19, 2020

In this film, adapted from August Wilson's 1982 play of the same name, Viola Davis stars as eccentric and famed blues singer Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, who finds herself collaborating with a small jazz band in 1920s Chicago. The story is pretty straightforward and simple enough, and because itIn this film, adapted from August Wilson's 1982 play of the same name, Viola Davis stars as eccentric and famed blues singer Gertrude 'Ma' Rainey, who finds herself collaborating with a small jazz band in 1920s Chicago. The story is pretty straightforward and simple enough, and because it was adapted from a play, it definitely felt very limited in this regard (much like Wilson's other play-turned-film 'Fences' from 4 years ago that also starred Davis.) In other words, it felt a little too much like I was watching a play instead of a film the whole time, which isn't to say that it detracted from the film's quality, as the set pieces and atmosphere did a fine job of taking me back to the roaring 20s. The real draw here, however, is the performances. Viola Davis is in top form her as the titular Ma Rainey, as she acts and sings her heart out like nobody's business. We're also treated to arguably a career-best (and sadly final) performance from the late, great 'Black Panther' star Chadwick Boseman, who will charm the pants off of you in some scenes, but touch and stir your soul in many others. Both stars are very much worthy of awards consideration this year! Storywise, like I said, it feels pretty straightforward, and the stakes are never especially high, but it makes for a smooth, sleek, and fun watch overall. Just come for the fantastic performances and stay for some great fun and music and you won't be disappointed.… Expand

2 of 2 users found this helpful20

Iamcritical86

Mar 26, 2021

This wasn't as good as I was hoping. Viola Davis's screen presence was superb, however, but the rest of the picture was a drag. I didn't very much care for the long, dragged out scenes with all the yammering and bickering between the band members. It felt like the story was more about THEMThis wasn't as good as I was hoping. Viola Davis's screen presence was superb, however, but the rest of the picture was a drag. I didn't very much care for the long, dragged out scenes with all the yammering and bickering between the band members. It felt like the story was more about THEM than Ma Rainey. I didn't care for the ending either - how it just dropped off the way it did, and Viola should've had a bigger part. With a stronger script and more of Viola, this film would have scored much better with me.... but we got what we got!… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

UncleWillard

Dec 4, 2020

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ. The only reason this is getting the reviews it is getting is because it's a black story. In reality, it's been done to death in better ways. Totally boring. Chaswick Boseman is not a great actor. He just died tragically young.

5 of 19 users found this helpful514

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15	#15 Best Movie of 2020
44	#44 Most Discussed Movie of 2020