Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Chicago, 1927. A recording session. Tensions rise between Ma Rainey, her ambitious horn player and the white management determined to control the uncontrollable "Mother of the Blues". Based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play.

Director:

George C. Wolfe

Writers:

Ruben Santiago-Hudson (screenplay by), August Wilson (based on the play written by)

Stars:

Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman

16 wins & 57 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viola Davis	...	Ma Rainey
Chadwick Boseman	...	Levee
Colman Domingo	...	Cutler
Glynn Turman	...	Toledo
Michael Potts	...	Slow Drag
Jeremy Shamos	...	Irvin
Jonny Coyne	...	Sturdyvant
Taylour Paige	...	Dussie Mae
Dusan Brown	...	Sylvester
Joshua Harto	...	Policeman
Quinn VanAntwerp	...	Band Singer
Chloe Davis	...	Ma Rainey's Dancer
Mayte Natalio	...	Ma Rainey's Dancer
Johanna Elmina Moise	...	Ma Rainey's Dancer (as Johanna Moise)
Onyxx Noel	...	Ma Rainey's Dancer

Storyline

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 (Academy Award® winner 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. Adapted from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson's play, MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM celebrates the transformative power of the blues and the artists who refuse to let society's prejudices dictate their worth. Directed by George C. Wolfe and adapted for the screen by Ruben ...

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Plot Keywords:

agent | female protagonist | n word | no opening credits | piano | 

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Taglines:

Everything Comes Out in the Blues.

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Genres:

Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language, some sexual content and brief violence

Did You Know?

Trivia

This is the second August Wilson adaptation to be produced by Denzel Washington. He previously adapted Fences (2016) which he starred in, directed, and produced. Washington is only a producer for this film.

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Quotes

Levee: What I care about bad luck? You talking simple. I ain't had nothing but bad luck all my life. Couldn't get no worse. What the hell I care about some bad luck? Hell, I eat it every day for breakfast. You dumber than I thought you was talkin' about 'bad luck.'

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Crazy Credits

During the first part of the credits, actual photographs of the real Ma Rainey and the musicians who inspired the characters in the play are shown.

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Connections

Featured in Sky News Breakfast: Episode dated 19 December 2020 (2020)

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Soundtracks

Doctor Jazz
Written by King Oliver (as Joseph Oliver) and Walter Melrose
Produced by Branford Marsalis

User Reviews

Performances!

This film is full of good performances. Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis shine in this movie. Chadwick was incredible. I am very happy to see him one more time, and what a performance he gives. The story felt a bit short. The story is not that special but I'll say it again, the performances are so good. That's why I give this film a 7.

Thank you Chadwick Boseman, R.I.P.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 December 2020 (USA)

Also Known As:

Black Bottom

Filming Locations:

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Netflix

Technical Specs

Runtime:

94 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.00 : 1