Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 2020

imdb-logo 6.9 / 10

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson's play.

Tensions rise when the trailblazing Mother of the Blues and her band gather at a Chicago recording studio in 1927. Adapted from August Wilson's play.

Videos & Photos

All 1 Videos & 18 Photos

... Levee Green

... Ma Rainey

... Toledo

... Slow Drag

... Sturdyvant

User reviews

See All 4 Reviews

23 Jun 2021 by Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Usually, at the end of each year, I prepare my watchlist for the next twelve months. Obviously, no matter how many movies I add to the list, I know dozens of more films will be announced and released throughout the year. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of them. I didn’t know a thing about this flick, but it received the always interesting awards buzz, which turned it into a mandatory viewing before Christmas comes around. I went in knowing only one thing: this is Chadwick Boseman’s (Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War) last appearance after he passed away a few months ago. I really didn’t know what to expect from this Netflix’s Oscar-bait, but I was afraid that Boseman’s nomination chances were high only due to what happened in real-life instead of him truly deserving that recognition… Well, I can safely and confidently write that Boseman delivers his career-best interpretation, and it wouldn’t be unfair for him to get tons of awards posthumously. From an impeccable accent to his mind-blowing emotional range, passing through long monologues and uncut takes effortlessly, Boseman is the strong glue that holds everything in place. What seems, at first, a hangout movie (narrative without a clear central plot) turns into a character-study. Levee wants to follow his dreams, do what he does best in his own conditions and with his personal interpretation of music and soul. Boseman incorporates this character seamlessly, delivering a memorable performance that I hope will be remembered as a worthy Oscar winner if this situation ends up becoming true. Even though Boseman is the actor that shines brighter, every single one is absolutely outstanding. Viola Davis shares the main spotlight with him by representing the (real-life) iconic blues singer, Ma Rainey. To be completely honest, I didn’t know who this singer was nor how she impacted soul music. Ruben Santiago-Hudson first feature-film screenplay is packed with entertaining banter between the band members but also with heartfelt, gut-wrenching, shocking monologues that deeply explore a character’s past and personality. Davis tackles every single line of hers with brutal intensity and extreme expressiveness, constantly offering 200% of her energy. George C. Wolfe (first movie I see of his) demonstrates exquisite control of every scene and elevates the dialogue-driven narrative with an exceptional balance of tone and pacing. Tobias A. Schliessler’s camera lingers beautifully on the actors, allowing them to showcase their abilities but also helping the viewer feel enthralled with their words by not creating any unnecessary technical distractions. Andrew Mondshein’s editing also contributes a lot to the smooth pace that the film warrants, but it’s Branford Marsalis’ inspiring, soulful score that will probably encourage most viewers to enjoy the overall movie. Technically, I can’t point out a single issue. Huge praise for the appropriate costume design and overall production value. Honestly, I don’t really have much to complain about. It might not have a conventional main plot, but it’s also far from being a “nothing” film. As I mentioned above, the banter between Toledo (Glynn Turman), Cutler (Colman Domingo), Slow Drag (Michael Potts), and Levee is incredibly amusing and genuinely hilarious at times. However, it goes down through an unexpected dark path, ultimately culminating in a surprising finale. Every character has their own monologue containing details of their personal lives, which I regularly felt interested in, despite the repetitive structure. It works as a character-study, mainly about Levee and Ma Rainey, but also as a fun, good time that goes by quicker than I initially anticipated. In the end, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is going to be forever remembered as Chadwick Boseman’s last role. Call it destiny, but it’s, undoubtedly, Boseman’s career-best performance. Hopefully, if he ends up winning an Oscar posthumously, this won’t be identified as a charity recognition but as a worthy, fair, triumphant celebration of his inspiring, impactful talent on-screen. Viola Davis also shines in this uncommon narrative, which focuses its spotlight on long, uncut, engaging monologues, captivating dialogues, and entertaining banter, all handled effortlessly by every actor involved. Despite the absence of a clear central plot, it’s closer to a character-study than to a hangout flick. George C. Wolfe and Ruben Santiago-Hudson deliver a technically flawless movie with an excellent balance of its tone and pacing but also boasting impeccable cinematography, seamless editing, and a soulful score. It’s definitely a serious contender for the awards season, so make sure to save ninety minutes of your Christmas season to enjoy this simple yet surprising story. Rating: A-

Release Date:

Nov 25, 2020 (United States)

Run Time:

1hr 34`

MMPA Rating:

R

Original Language:

English

Production Countries:

United States

Status:

Released

Related Movies To

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Write Review

Found 4 reviews in total

23 Jun 2021 by Manuel São Bento

If you enjoy reading my Spoiler-Free reviews, please follow my blog @ https://www.msbreviews.com Usually, at the end of each year, I prepare my watchlist for the next twelve months. Obviously, no matter how many movies I add to the list, I know dozens of more films will be announced and released throughout the year. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is one of them. I didn’t know a thing about this flick, but it received the always interesting awards buzz, which turned it into a mandatory viewing before Christmas comes around. I went in knowing only one thing: this is Chadwick Boseman’s (Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War) last appearance after he passed away a few months ago. I really didn’t know what to expect from this Netflix’s Oscar-bait, but I was afraid that Boseman’s nomination chances were high only due to what happened in real-life instead of him truly deserving that recognition… Well, I can safely and confidently write that Boseman delivers his career-best interpretation, and it wouldn’t be unfair for him to get tons of awards posthumously. From an impeccable accent to his mind-blowing emotional range, passing through long monologues and uncut takes effortlessly, Boseman is the strong glue that holds everything in place. What seems, at first, a hangout movie (narrative without a clear central plot) turns into a character-study. Levee wants to follow his dreams, do what he does best in his own conditions and with his personal interpretation of music and soul. Boseman incorporates this character seamlessly, delivering a memorable performance that I hope will be remembered as a worthy Oscar winner if this situation ends up becoming true. Even though Boseman is the actor that shines brighter, every single one is absolutely outstanding. Viola Davis shares the main spotlight with him by representing the (real-life) iconic blues singer, Ma Rainey. To be completely honest, I didn’t know who this singer was nor how she impacted soul music. Ruben Santiago-Hudson first feature-film screenplay is packed with entertaining banter between the band members but also with heartfelt, gut-wrenching, shocking monologues that deeply explore a character’s past and personality. Davis tackles every single line of hers with brutal intensity and extreme expressiveness, constantly offering 200% of her energy. George C. Wolfe (first movie I see of his) demonstrates exquisite control of every scene and elevates the dialogue-driven narrative with an exceptional balance of tone and pacing. Tobias A. Schliessler’s camera lingers beautifully on the actors, allowing them to showcase their abilities but also helping the viewer feel enthralled with their words by not creating any unnecessary technical distractions. Andrew Mondshein’s editing also contributes a lot to the smooth pace that the film warrants, but it’s Branford Marsalis’ inspiring, soulful score that will probably encourage most viewers to enjoy the overall movie. Technically, I can’t point out a single issue. Huge praise for the appropriate costume design and overall production value. Honestly, I don’t really have much to complain about. It might not have a conventional main plot, but it’s also far from being a “nothing” film. As I mentioned above, the banter between Toledo (Glynn Turman), Cutler (Colman Domingo), Slow Drag (Michael Potts), and Levee is incredibly amusing and genuinely hilarious at times. However, it goes down through an unexpected dark path, ultimately culminating in a surprising finale. Every character has their own monologue containing details of their personal lives, which I regularly felt interested in, despite the repetitive structure. It works as a character-study, mainly about Levee and Ma Rainey, but also as a fun, good time that goes by quicker than I initially anticipated. In the end, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is going to be forever remembered as Chadwick Boseman’s last role. Call it destiny, but it’s, undoubtedly, Boseman’s career-best performance. Hopefully, if he ends up winning an Oscar posthumously, this won’t be identified as a charity recognition but as a worthy, fair, triumphant celebration of his inspiring, impactful talent on-screen. Viola Davis also shines in this uncommon narrative, which focuses its spotlight on long, uncut, engaging monologues, captivating dialogues, and entertaining banter, all handled effortlessly by every actor involved. Despite the absence of a clear central plot, it’s closer to a character-study than to a hangout flick. George C. Wolfe and Ruben Santiago-Hudson deliver a technically flawless movie with an excellent balance of its tone and pacing but also boasting impeccable cinematography, seamless editing, and a soulful score. It’s definitely a serious contender for the awards season, so make sure to save ninety minutes of your Christmas season to enjoy this simple yet surprising story. Rating: A-

23 Jun 2021 by r96sk

Excellent! 'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' features great performances from Viola Davis (Ma) and Chadwick Boseman (Levee). Their characters aren't flawless, yet Davis and Boseman make them each a fascinating watch; the latter has one film-stealing scene. They both truly give their all. The other cast members, spearheaded by Colman Domingo (Cutler), are good as well. The plot is riveting and very well told, with near perfect pacing and an astutely chosen run time; a 2hr film, for example, would've dragged. The end scene is a noteworthy one, also. There is a lot to enjoy here, even for a story filled with sadness and injustice. Highly recommend.

23 Jun 2021 by SWITCH.

As a film adaptation, 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' isn't so much a movie as it is a play with a few more options; a showcase for its actors rather than a cinematic experience. But the play it adapts is very good, one of my favourites of Wilson's. It's from an era of theatre in the United States that dealt heavily with the casualties of the American Dream, where you're sold a bill of goods but they'll never come through for you and you spend your whole life chasing a phantom. I think those messages are still relevant - if not more so now - than they were when they were originally written. - Jake Watt Read Jake's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-ma-raineys-black-bottom-a-powerfully-acted-tale-stumbles-from-stage-to-screen

04 Apr 2023 by Ahmetaslan27

**Viola Davis as the Queen of the Blues** The events of the film take place on the 1st day in the year 1927, and one place is a recording studio for music albums. We start with the preparation of the studio for the blues legend Marini, accompanied by her close entourage, and a team of musicians led by the ambitious young man, Levee, who has a new and open perspective on the relationship of black artists to the recording studios run by whites, which is a conflicting perspective. Wholly with Ma Rainey's personal vision. This conflict with other conflicts govern the events of this difficult day. The movie that comes to mind most when you watch this movie is (Fences 2016). The two films are based on two plays by August Wilson. The similarities between the two films can be caught in the general atmosphere of the two films. You will find the theatrical atmosphere in addition to the embodiment of the ambition of the black community, which August Wilson was concerned with embodying in different periods of American history. Ma Rainey is a violent and cruel character who uses all the tools at her disposal to achieve her goals and clings to all her rights, starting from her money to a bottle of Coca-Cola, while Levee's personality is a little lighter, manipulative, and has a tendency to pride in himself, but he does not find any barrier to fraud to achieve his goals as well. The two characters have goals and have a history. It is a 100% pivotal movie, with the exception of some songs and some kinetic scenes that are characterized by a theatrical nature that I liked very much, and this is not favored by some, contrary to what I liked about the movie. The film was filmed to keep pace with a period of time in which it is related to fashion, cars, decoration, and the musical instruments used, and all of these things were implemented with the utmost perfection, and most of these complications were implemented in short scenes. The dialogues were wonderful and effective, and it is strange that it is the least associated with the theatrical atmosphere, and this was evidence of the genius of August Wilson. The film's handling of sub-themes was also incredibly impressive, reflecting the dynamism of filming studios and the scales and levers of power. Who is the decision-maker and who has the strongest personality in the studio to influence decision-making? The characters of the film are certainly limited, but they are certainly effective. Everyone, without exception, takes their turn under the spotlight, since we are talking about the stage. But the longest moments and the most prominent performance between the actors were certainly Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. Contemplating Chadwick Boseman's performance, he is certainly a hardworking actor and has done great things despite his young age.

Cast & Crew of

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Directors & Credit Writers

... First Assistant Director

... Director

... Script Supervisor

Cast

... Levee Green

... Ma Rainey

... Toledo

... Slow Drag

... Sturdyvant

... Dussie Mae

... Sylvester

... Policeman

... Band Singer

... Laborer (uncredited)

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Chicago Worker (uncredited)

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

... Ma Rainey's Dancer

Produced By

... Producer

... Casting

... Producer

Videos & Photos of

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Videos ( 1)

Photos ( 18 )

Related Movies To

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Found 12 Movies in total

poster-Ice Road: Vengeance
Ice Road: Vengeance (2025)

0 /10

Big rig ice road driver Mike McCann travels to Nepal to scatter his late brother’s ashes on Mt. Everest. While on a packed tour bus traversing the deadly 12,000 ft. terrain of the infamous Road to the Sky, McCann and his mountain guide encounter a group of mercenaries and must fight to save themselves, the busload of innocent travelers, and the local villagers’ homeland.

Run Time: 1hr 53` . MMPA: R . Release: 27 Jun 2025

Director: Jonathan Hensleigh

Producer: David Buelow , Stevie Ray , Bart Rosenblatt

Stars: Liam Neeson , Fan Bingbing , Mahesh Jadu , Marcus Thomas , Bernard Curry , Saksham Sharma

poster-KPop Demon Hunters
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)

0 /10

When K-pop superstars Rumi, Mira and Zoey aren't selling out stadiums, they're using their secret powers to protect their fans from supernatural threats.

Run Time: 1hr 36` . MMPA: PG . Release: 20 Jun 2025

Director: Sean Tadlock , Chris Appelhans , Elizabeth Schantz

Producer: Aldo Zaid , Libby Thomas Dickey , Ted Craig

Stars: Rolando Davila-Beltran , Arden Cho , May Hong , Ji-young Yoo , Ahn Hyo-seop , Yunjin Kim

poster-F1
F1 (2025)

0 /10

Racing legend Sonny Hayes is coaxed out of retirement to lead a struggling Formula 1 team—and mentor a young hotshot driver—while chasing one more chance at glory.

Run Time: 2hr 36` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 25 Jun 2025

Director: Monika Petrillo , Adam Kirley , Kailyn Dabkowski

Producer: Dede Gardner , Jeremy Kleiner , Máté Gajdics

Stars: Brad Pitt , Damson Idris , Kerry Condon , Tobias Menzies , Lewis Hamilton , Javier Bardem

poster-The Twisters
The Twisters (2024)

0 /10

A deadly patchwork of destructive cyclones is on an apocalyptic path of convergence at a populated Midwest city center. There, the twisters will merge into one mega tornado that threatens to obliterate the cities for hundreds of miles around.

Run Time: 1hr 27` . MMPA: . Release: 28 Jun 2024

Director: Michael Su

Producer: James Mahoney , Brendan Petrizzo , Paul Bales

Stars: Kayla Fields , Mark Justice , Paul Logan , Curtis Strong , Tiffany , Sofia Riba

poster-Breathing In
Breathing In (2023)

0 /10

1901, South Africa. As the Second Anglo-Boer War rages on, a wounded General seeks refuge in the small home of a woman and her young daughter. As the hurt man settles in, he begins noticing that something is off about the two women, particularly the daughter, and before long, he’ll learn the real reason for why they’ve invited him and for how they’ve survived on their own for so long.

Run Time: 1hr 45` . MMPA: . Release: 18 Oct 2023

Director: Jaco Bouwer

Producer:

Stars: Michele Burgers , Sven Ruygrok , Jamie-Lee Money , Lionel Newton

poster-STRAW
STRAW (2025)

0 /10

What will be her last straw? A devastatingly bad day pushes a hardworking single mother to the breaking point — and into a shocking act of desperation.

Run Time: 1hr 45` . MMPA: R . Release: 05 Jun 2025

Director: Felix Jordan , Matt Hendren , Roger Berard

Producer: Andy Norman , Nadia Brown , Angi Bones

Stars: Taraji P. Henson , Sherri Shepherd , Teyana Taylor , Sinbad , Rockmond Dunbar , Ashley Versher

poster-Life After Fighting
Life After Fighting (2024)

0 /10

Retired martial arts world champion Alex Faulkner has settled into a simple life, when the disappearance of two of his students leads to an unthinkable discovery close to home. Just when all hope of finding the children is lost, he locates the imprisoned girls and unsurfaces an international child trafficking operation, which draws him back into the fight of his life against those behind it.

Run Time: 2hr 6` . MMPA: . Release: 07 Jun 2024

Director: Bren Foster

Producer: Chelsea Jean Foster , Bren Foster , Navid Bahadori

Stars: Bren Foster , Cassie Howarth , Luke Ford , Annabelle Stephenson , Anthony Nassif , Arielle Jean Foster

poster-Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation
Big City Greens the Movie: Spacecation (2024)

0 /10

When thrill-seeker Cricket tricks his family into taking a "road trip" in space, chaos in the cosmos quickly ensues. Despite growing frustrations between Cricket and his dad, Bill, the two must learn to appreciate each other's unique perspectives in order to prevent Big City from being destroyed by an interstellar disaster.

Run Time: 1hr 22` . MMPA: PG . Release: 06 Jun 2024

Director: Anna O'Brian

Producer: Abigail Swoap , Abigail Swoap , Stephen Sandoval

Stars: Chris Houghton , Artemis Pebdani , Marieve Herington , Bob Joles , Zeno Robinson , Wendi McLendon-Covey

poster-The Secret Path
The Secret Path (1999)

7.5 /10

14-year-old Jo Ann Foley lives in squalor in a rural Southern community during World War II. Abused by her bootlegging grandfather Hank, Jo Ann has, like her mother Marie, been forced into a life of prostitution. Periodically escaping her miserable existence, Jo Ann finds comfort, security, and genuine love with a poor but proud African American couple: Honey and Too Tall.

Run Time: 1hr 38` . MMPA: . Release: 02 Apr 1999

Director: Bruce Pittman , Patricia Joyes

Producer: Kimberly Rubin , Philip K. Kleinbart , Nicki Skinner

Stars: Della Reese , Ossie Davis , Crystal Bernard , Madeline Zima , Yvonne Zima , Ron White

poster-Real Gangsters
Real Gangsters (2013)

7.2 /10

Real Gangsters tells the story of the Lo Giacamo family, one of the most successful crime syndicates in New York City. Run by cousins Vincent Lo Giacamo and Jack Lo Giacamo, Real Gangsters shows how these two men maintain control of their dangerous extended family and volatile business ventures by very different means.

Run Time: 1hr 28` . MMPA: . Release: 01 Jun 2013

Director: Frank D'Angelo

Producer:

Stars: Robert Loggia , John Savage , Steven Bauer , Margot Kidder , Nick Mancuso , Michael Paré

poster-Bloomington
Bloomington (2010)

5.8 /10

A former child actress attends college in search of independence and ends up becoming romantically involved with a female professor. Their relationship thrives until an opportunity to return to acting forces her to make life-altering decisions.

Run Time: 1hr 23` . MMPA: . Release: 23 Jun 2010

Director: Conor Byron , Fernanda Cardoso , Rachel Rose

Producer: Nathan Dynak , Holly Fraser , Beck Engle

Stars: Allison McAtee , Sarah Stouffer , Katherine Ann McGregor , Ray Zupp , J. Blakemore , Erika Heidewald

poster-Karate Kid: Legends
Karate Kid: Legends (2025)

0 /10

After a family tragedy, kung fu prodigy Li Fong is uprooted from his home in Beijing and forced to move to New York City with his mother. When a new friend needs his help, Li enters a karate competition – but his skills alone aren't enough. Li's kung fu teacher Mr. Han enlists original Karate Kid Daniel LaRusso for help, and Li learns a new way to fight, merging their two styles into one for the ultimate martial arts showdown.

Run Time: 1hr 34` . MMPA: PG-13 . Release: 08 May 2025

Director: Shanna Roberts Salée , Jonathan Entwistle , Peng Zhang

Producer: Ralph Macchio , Karen Rosenfelt , Jenny Hinkey

Stars: Jackie Chan , Ralph Macchio , Ben Wang , Joshua Jackson , Sadie Stanley , Ming-Na Wen