Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (film)
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom | |
---|---|
Directed by | George C. Wolfe |
Screenplay by | Ruben Santiago-Hudson |
Based on | Ma Rainey's Black Bottom by August Wilson |
Produced by |
|
Starring | |
Cinematography | Tobias A. Schliessler |
Edited by | Andrew Mondshein |
Music by | Branford Marsalis |
Production companies |
|
Distributed by | Netflix |
Release date |
|
Running time | 94 minutes[1] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $20–22.5 million[2][3] |
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a 2020 American drama film directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, based on the 1982 play of the same name by August Wilson. The film stars Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, and Michael Potts. Inspired by the career of Ma Rainey, an influential blues singer and the title character, the film dramatizes a turbulent recording session in 1920s Chicago.
Produced by Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf, the project was originally announced alongside Washington's Fences in 2013 as part of his ten-picture deal with HBO. The adaptation eventually moved to Netflix and filming began in Pittsburgh in 2019. Boseman died during post-production in August 2020, making Black Bottom his final film appearance. The film is dedicated to his memory.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom began a limited theatrical release on November 25, 2020, before beginning to stream on Netflix on December 18. Critics praised the performances of Davis, Boseman, and Turman as well as the costume design and production values. It was named as one of the ten best films of 2020 by the American Film Institute.[4] The film received five nominations at the 93rd Academy Awards, including Best Actor (for Boseman), Best Actress (for Davis), and won two awards: Makeup and Hairstyling and Costume Design.[5] Additionally, the film received eight Critics' Choice Movie Award nominations and nine NAACP Image Award nominations, including Outstanding Motion Picture,[6] with Davis and Boseman both winning lead acting awards. Davis and Boseman also won lead acting awards for their performances at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, making them the first African-American actors in history to win in leading categories in the same year;[7] both received nominations at the Golden Globes, with Boseman posthumously winning Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama.
Plot
[edit]Ma Rainey is a highly regarded, strong-willed blues singer who has recently been contracted by white producers to record an album. The story takes place on July 2, 1927, when the first recording session is scheduled for Ma by her manager Irvin to take place at Paramount's Recording Studios in Chicago. Seasoned Georgia Jazz Band members Toledo, Cutler, and Slow Drag arrive on time without Ma, which frustrates producer Mel Sturdyvant. They are soon joined by Levee Green, the band's overconfident trumpeter, who has shown Sturdyvant his original compositions in the hopes of getting his own record deal. The other musicians find Levee's behavior disrespectful to Ma. Teased by the rest of the band about his ability to deal with white men, Levee relates how his mother was gang-raped in front of him. His father killed four of the rapists but was then lynched and burned.
Ma arrives an hour late with her girlfriend, Dussie Mae, and her nephew, Sylvester. Immediately, she clashes with Sturdyvant and Irvin, making numerous demands. Insulted that the Coca-Cola she requested has not been provided, Ma refuses to sing until Slow Drag and Sylvester bring her one. Later, she insists to Sturdyvant that the opening words of the album be spoken by Sylvester (who has a pronounced stutter) so he can receive royalties. As a result, the group has to do multiple takes of the song “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom," much to everyone's frustration.
Ma confides to Cutler that her white bosses are only interested in her voice and would otherwise regard her as "just a dog in the alley", which he understands and sympathizes with. Meanwhile, Levee and Dussie Mae have sex in the practice room before being interrupted by Slow Drag.
The group finally manages to get through the first track after multiple takes but discovers an equipment failure has caused it not to be recorded. The band blames Levee, who they think tripped over a wire while eyeing Dussie Mae, though it is revealed to have been damaged already. Their argument leads the religious Cutler to tell a story about a preacher he once knew who got stranded in a small town and was humiliated by a group of white men who tore up his Bible and forced him to dance. Levee brushes off the story by retorting that if there was a God, he would care for black people, which he never has. Cutler attacks Levee in anger, and the young man forces him back with a knife while continuing to belittle his beliefs.
The group finally finishes recording, but Ma fires Levee soon afterward, believing his reckless ambition and uncompromising attitude to be detrimental to the band. Levee meets with Sturdyvant about his original songs but learns that the producer will only buy the rights and never intended to give him a deal. Levee subsequently suffers a mental breakdown and, after Toledo accidentally steps on his new shoes, fatally stabs him in the back with the knife. Cutler and Slow Drag leave in horror as Levee cradles Toledo's corpse. Later, Sturdyvant records Levee's songs with a band consisting entirely of white musicians (supposedly Paul Whiteman's Orchestra).
Cast
[edit]- Chadwick Boseman as Levee Green
- Viola Davis as Ma Rainey
- Maxayn Lewis as Ma's singing voice.
- Glynn Turman as Toledo
- Colman Domingo as Cutler
- Michael Potts as Slow Drag
- Jonny Coyne as Mel Sturdyvant
- Taylour Paige as Dussie Mae
- Jeremy Shamos as Irvin
- Dusan Brown as Sylvester
- Joshua Harto as Policeman
- Quinn VanAntwerp as Band Singer
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]Denzel Washington initially had a deal with the television network HBO to produce nine of the playwright August Wilson's plays into films, with Ma Rainey's Black Bottom among them.[8] By June 2019, the deal had been moved to Netflix. Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, and Michael Potts had been cast in the film, with George C. Wolfe set to direct.[9] In July 2019, Taylour Paige, Jonny Coyne, Jeremy Shamos, and Dusan Brown joined the cast of the film.[10] Maxayn Lewis did most of Rainey's singing for Davis.[11] Jeffrey Wright was originally expected to join the film.[12]
Filming
[edit]Filming commenced on July 8, 2019 in Pittsburgh, with sets converted into 1927 Chicago, and wrapped on August 16, 2019.[13]
On August 28, 2020, Boseman died of colon cancer during post-production, making Ma Rainey's Black Bottom his final film appearance. The film is dedicated to him.[14][15][16]
Release
[edit]The film was theatrically released in select theaters on November 25, 2020,[14] before beginning to stream on December 18, on Netflix.[17] Netflix also released a 31-minute making-of documentary Ma Rainey's Black Bottom: A Legacy Brought to Screen alongside the film.[18] Upon its digital release to Netflix, the film was the most-watched item over its opening weekend.[19]
Reception
[edit]Critical response
[edit]On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 97% based on 301 reviews, with an average rating of 8.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads: "Framed by a pair of powerhouse performances, Ma Rainey's Black Bottom pays affectionate tribute to a blues legend — and Black culture at large."[20] According to Metacritic, which compiled 46 reviews and calculated a weighted average score of 87 out of 100.[21]
For the Los Angeles Times, Justin Chang wrote "Boseman, evincing the same integrity he clung to his entire career, refuses to soft-pedal the destination. He imparts to this seething, shattered man the gift of a broken soul, driven by anger and trauma, and makes him all the more human for it. His final moments of screen time are among his darkest, and also his finest."[22] Eric Kohn of IndieWire gave the film a "B" grade and praised Davis and Boseman's performances, saying: "All of this would be more concerning if Ma Rainey's Black Bottom didn't turn on Wilson's crackling dialogue and a jazzy pace on par with the music. Above all, the movie amounts to a solid resurrection that doesn't muck up the bulk of what made the play click in the first place."[23]
Peter Travers, reviewing the film for ABC News, said: "Davis plays the real-life Ma Rainey, the Georgia singer dubbed the Mother of the Blues. Boseman invests body and soul into Levee, the hot-headed trumpeter who dares to lock horns with Ma in a shabby Chicago recording studio where they're paid to make music the way the white bosses want it. The time is 1927, but the bristling racial tensions feel as timely as ever."[24]
Accolades
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom". Netflix. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved October 31, 2020.
- ^ Moreau, Jordan (October 30, 2020). "'Mank' First Reactions: David Fincher Is a 'Technical Genius' With 'Exquisitely Crafted' Film". Variety. Archived from the original on November 1, 2020. Retrieved November 2, 2020.
- ^ a b Lang, Brent; Tangcay, Jazz (January 26, 2021). "'Minari,' 'Never Rarely Sometimes Always' Top 2021 Independent Spirit Award Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved January 26, 2021.
- ^ "'Soul,' 'Ma Rainey's' among AFI's top 10 films of the year". AP NEWS. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ Bisset, Jennifer. "Oscars 2021 results: The full list of winners, from Nomadland to Daniel Kaluuya". CNET. Archived from the original on April 26, 2021. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
- ^ "2021 NAACP Image Awards Nominations: List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 5, 2021.
- ^ Hegedus, Eric; Steussy, Lauren (April 5, 2021). "SAG Awards 2021: Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis make history". New York Post. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
- ^ Washington, Arlene (September 17, 2015). "Denzel Washington to Direct August Wilson Play for HBO in Broad Deal". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (June 19, 2019). "Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman & More to Star in Denzel Washington Netflix Pic Adaptation Of August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ N'Duka, Amanda (July 2, 2019). "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom': Taylour Paige, Jonny Coyne & More Join Denzel Washington-Produced August Wilson Adaptation". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ Hoffman, Jordan (December 18, 2020). "How Branford Marsalis Found Ma Rainey's Sound". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on December 31, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 1, 2021). "'What If…?' Actor Jeffrey Wright On Chadwick Boseman's Final "Mythic" Turn As T'Challa In MCU". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
- ^ Sciullo, Maria (July 1, 2019). "August Wilson's 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' prepping exteriors on Pittsburgh's North Side". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved July 2, 2019.
- ^ a b Lee, Benjamin (October 18, 2020). "Netflix releases trailer for Chadwick Boseman's final movie". The Guardian. Archived from the original on October 24, 2020. Retrieved October 24, 2020.
- ^ O'Neill, Shane (August 29, 2020). "This will be Chadwick Boseman's final movie". Looper. Archived from the original on October 10, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
- ^ Robertson, Chris (October 1, 2020). "Chadwick Boseman pictured in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - his last acting role before his death". Sky News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2020. Retrieved October 2, 2020.
- ^ Buchanan, Kyle (September 30, 2020). "First Look: Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 3, 2020. Retrieved September 30, 2020.
- ^ Moore, Kasey (December 18, 2020). "What's New on Netflix & Top 10s: December 18th, 2020". What's on Netflix. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Brueggemann, Tom (December 21, 2020). "'The Croods: A New Age' Beats Out 'Tenet' On VOD in Surprising Shakeup". IndieWire. Archived from the original on December 21, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
- ^ "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Reviews". Metacritic. Archived from the original on December 11, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
- ^ Chang, Justin (November 20, 2020). "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' review: Chadwick Boseman's final and finest performance". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 1, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ Kohn, Eric (November 20, 2020). "'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' Review: Boseman and Davis Energize a Faithful August Wilson Adaptation". IndieWire. Archived from the original on November 20, 2020. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
- ^ Travers, Peter (November 20, 2020). "'Ma Rainey' review: The film, starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, is 'a gut punch'". ABC News. Archived from the original on November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
- ^ Oganesyan, Natalie; Moreau, Jordan (February 13, 2021). "Australian Academy (AACTA) International Awards nominations". Archived from the original on February 13, 2021. Retrieved February 13, 2021.
- ^ Haring, Bruce (February 8, 2021). "AARP The Magazine Sets Movies For Grownups Nominees, Adds TV Categories". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "Oscars 2021 nominations announced, here's the complete list of nominees". in.style.yahoo.com. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (January 4, 2021). "'Nomadland' Triumphs at Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on January 11, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Thompson, Anne (January 25, 2021). "AFI's Top Films and TV of 2020 Include 'Nomadland' and 'Bridgerton,' Plus Special Award for 'Hamilton'". IndieWire. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (February 25, 2021). "Art Directors Guild Awards 2021: Full List of Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
- ^ "BET Awards Unveil 2021 Nominees List, Led By Megan Thee Stallion And DaBaby". Deadline. May 27, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved May 27, 2021.
- ^ Amanda N'Duka (February 18, 2021). "'One Night in Miami', 'Judas and the Black Messiah' Lead Nominations For 21st Annual Black Reel Awards". Deadline. Archived from the original on May 2, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
- ^ Davis, Clayton (December 13, 2020). "'Nomadland' Named Best Picture at Boston Society of Film Critics Awards, Paul Raci and Yuh-jung Youn Among Winners". Variety. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 13, 2020.
- ^ "Bafta Film Awards 2021: The nominations in full". BBC News. March 9, 2021. Archived from the original on March 9, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (February 19, 2021). "Artios Awards Film Nominations: 'Borat', 'Da 5 Bloods', 'Chicago 7', 'One Night In Miami' & More Up For Casting Society Prizes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on February 20, 2021. Retrieved February 28, 2021.
- ^ "Chloé Zhao's Nomadland Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2020 Award Nominations". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 18, 2020. Archived from the original on December 18, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2020.
- ^ "Nomadland Leads Chicago Film Critics Association 2020 Awards". Chicago Film Critics Association. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
- ^ "Costume Designer Guild Nominations Include 'Ma Rainey's Black Bottom' 'Emma,' 'Promising Young Woman' – IndieWire". March 4, 2021. Archived from the original on March 10, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ Montgomery, Daniel (February 8, 2021). "2021 Critics Choice Awards nominations list: 'Mank' roars back with 12 bids, 'Minari' right behind at 10". GoldDerby. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ "2021 Dorian Film Awards Nominations: List of Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter. February 11, 2021. Archived from the original on February 11, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ "2020 FFCC Winners". Florida Film Critics. December 21, 2020. Archived from the original on December 22, 2020. Retrieved December 26, 2020.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 28, 2021). "GLAAD Unveils Nominees For 32nd Annual GLAAD Media Awards; Deadline's New Hollywood Podcast Honored With Special Recognition Award". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 28, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "GLAAD Media Awards 2021: The winners list". CNN. April 9, 2021. Archived from the original on July 14, 2022. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
- ^ McPhee, Ryan (February 3, 2021). "Hamilton's Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ma Rainey's Viola Davis, More Earn 2021 Golden Globe Nominations". Playbill. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Gotham Independent Film Awards 2020 Nominees". Gotham Awards. November 12, 2020. Archived from the original on December 2, 2020. Retrieved November 12, 2020.
- ^ "4th HCA Film Awards Announce Nominations". LAFT USA. February 2, 2021. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Grein, Paul (January 27, 2021). "Diane Warren & James Newton Howard Among Top Winners at 2021 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ Andreas Wiseman (February 7, 2021). "'Nomadland' Scoops Film Of The Year At London Critics' Circle Awards; 'Saint Maud', Chadwick Boseman Also Among Winners". Deadline. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Ritman, Alex (January 12, 2021). "'Saint Maud' Leads London Critics' Circle Film Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 13, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
- ^ Haring, Bruce; Ramos, Dino-Ray (December 20, 2020). "L.A. Film Critics Association Names 'Small Axe' As Best Picture Of 2020; Carey Mulligan, Chadwick Boseman Honored With Acting AwardsList". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2020.
- ^ Giardina, Carolyn (February 18, 2021). "'Bill & Ted Face the Music' Leads Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 25, 2021.
- ^ Erik Pederson (March 1, 2021). "Sound Editors Nominate 'Wonder Woman', 'Sound Of Metal', 'Tenet' & Others For Golden Reel Awards – Full List". Deadline. Variety Media, LLC. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2021.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandra (April 19, 2021). "MTV Movie & TV Awards Nominations: 'Emily In Paris', 'WandaVision' & 'RuPaul's Drag Race'". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 19, 2021. Retrieved April 20, 2021.
- ^ "Regina King, Viola Davis, D-Nice Up For Entertainer Of The Year At This Year's NAACP Image Awards". Essence. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "52nd NAACP Image Awards on BET". NAACP. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Beresford, Trilby (January 9, 2021). "'Nomadland' Named Best Picture by National Society of Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2021.
- ^ Ramos, Dino-Ray (January 25, 2021). "Online Films Critics Society Unveils Annual Film Awards Recipients, Names 'Nomadland' Best Picture". Deadline. Archived from the original on January 26, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ Feinberg, Scott (February 8, 2021). "Viola Davis Set for Palm Springs Film Fest Honor". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (March 8, 2021). "PGA Awards Nominations: 'Borat', 'Ma Rainey', 'Chicago 7', 'Nomadland', 'Mank' & 'Minari' Among Pics Vying For Marquee Prize". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 8, 2021. Retrieved March 10, 2021.
- ^ "San Diego Film Critics Society 2020 Awards Nominations". San Diego Film Critics Society. January 8, 2021. Archived from the original on January 9, 2021. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
- ^ Van Blaricom, Mirjana (February 1, 2021). "25th Satellite Awards Nominees for Motion Pictures and Television Announced". International Press Academy. Archived from the original on April 25, 2021. Retrieved February 1, 2021.
- ^ Coyle, Jake (February 4, 2021). "'Ma Rainey,' 'Minari' and Boseman lead SAG nominations". ABC News. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2021.
- ^ Critics, Seattle Film (February 8, 2021). ""Minari" Leads the 2020 Seattle Film Critics Society Nominations". Seattle Film Critics Society. Archived from the original on February 8, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
- ^ Tangcay, Jazz (March 11, 2021). "'Promising Young Woman' and 'News of the World' Among Inaugural Set Decorators Awards Nominations". Variety. Archived from the original on June 24, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2021.
- ^ Neglia, Matt (January 10, 2021). "The 2020 St. Louis Film Critics Association (StLFCA) Nominations". Next Best Picture. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
- ^ Moye, Clarence (February 7, 2021). "'Nomadland' Takes Three at Toronto Film Critics Awards". Awardsdaily. Archived from the original on March 31, 2021. Retrieved February 8, 2021.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 19, 2021). "Vancouver Film Critics Circle: 'Mank' Leads With Five Nominations". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (February 22, 2021). "Chloe Zhao's 'Nomadland' Named Best Feature by Vancouver Film Critics Circle". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on September 1, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
- ^ Pedersen, Erik (February 16, 2021). "WGA Awards Film Nominations: 'Trial Of The Chicago 7', 'Sound Of Metal', 'One Night In Miami', 'Borat', 'Palm Springs' & More". Deadline. Archived from the original on March 22, 2021. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
- ^ First African-American women to ever win the award.
External links
[edit]- 2020 films
- 2020 biographical drama films
- 2020 LGBTQ-related films
- 2020s American films
- 2020s English-language films
- African-American biographical dramas
- African-American LGBTQ-related films
- African-American films
- American films based on plays
- American biographical drama films
- Biographical films about LGBTQ people
- Biographical films about singers
- Black people in art
- Blues films
- Cultural depictions of American people
- Cultural depictions of blues musicians
- Escape Artists films
- 2020 independent films
- English-language biographical drama films
- Netflix original films
- Films about female bisexuality
- Films directed by George C. Wolfe
- Films produced by Denzel Washington
- Films set in 1927
- Films set in Chicago
- Films shot in Pittsburgh
- Films that won the Academy Award for Best Makeup
- Films that won the Best Costume Design Academy Award
- 2020s LGBTQ-related drama films
- English-language independent films