Ma Rainey's Black Bottom Netflix Movie Review

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020)

Watch Ma Rainey's Black Bottom on Netflix
Written by: Ruben Santiago-Hudson (screenplay by), August Wilson (based on the play written by)
Directed by: George C. Wolfe
Starring: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts
Rated: R
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Plot
Tensions rise when trailblazing blues singer Ma Rainey and her band gather at a recording studio in Chicago in 1927.

Verdict
Boseman's final performance is certainly noteworthy, but most of the movie felt like treading water. There is plenty of tension between the band members and between Ma and her producer. I wondered where this would go, and that's the thing. This is a character study focusing on how these characters fit not just in the world, but in a world where white managers dictate the career arcs of black musicians. The movie isn't about Ma Rainey, the main character is Boseman's Levee as we see his current status and where he wants to go as well as all the roadblocks in the way. This movie presents unlikable characters and then delves into why they act this way. That's the reveal in this movie.
It depends.

Review
Ma Rainey was a real person, dubbed the "mother of blues" and influencing a generation. Based on a 1982 stage play, this movie is Chadwick Boseman's final performance. Seeing Boseman in this next to 21 Bridges, it's impressive how he can play such different characters with different energies and mannerisms.

Chadwick Boseman plays Levee

Set in the 1920's, the movie title references a prominent song in the movie the band plans to record. A group of musicians gets ready to practice before they record an album, backing Ma Rainey (Viola Davis). There's plenty of banter between them as they wait for Ma. The young hotshot Levee (Chadwick Boseman) is certainly talented but has an even bigger ego. It's fun to watch them interact, as they're having fun with and teasing each other. Levee's new shoes are a topic of conversation due to how much he spent on them.

Levee is also using this recording session to broker a deal to record his own songs. He capitulates to the white manager, and is subsequently mocked for it by the band. He unleashes a heavy story about his past, stating he knows how to treat while people. It's a dark story, but it provides insight into Levee and bolsters the narrative.

Viola Davis plays Ma Rainey

This movie is a slow burn as I'm waiting for something to happen. There's definitely tension; between the band and Levee, between Ma and the white managers, but the problem is that I'm wondering about the plot's goal. What are the stakes? Is the goal just to record some of Ma's songs? That doesn't seem like a lot.

With the title, I thought Ma was the main character, but it's Levee. Levee keeps telling the band he's going to be as big as Ma, but Cutler (Domingo Colman) tells him Ma is big here, but not everywhere. The band continually tries to offer Levee advice, but he's young and thinks he knows everything. Levee is brash, but this movie provides insight as to why. Part of that is through Ma. She's very demanding of the white manager and producer. We eventually discover the reason is that Mas knows they don't value her. They need her for this song, but they don't care about her past that. That's why she's so demanding and makes them 'pay' up front. After the song is recorded they won't need her. That's why she makes sure to get what she wants beforehand.

Levee is trying to get a similar deal with the producers, and he gives them his songs. Once that happens they tell him audiences don't want his songs. What that really means is that they don't want to market a song from a black artist and band. Levee gets played and we see him lash out and everyone within reach when he realizes his dream has faltered.

Boseman's final performance is amazing, more so when compared to some of this other roles where he plays a more reserved character. This movie is an intriguing character study of Levee, but I expected to see more of Ma. The title certainly didn't help, and I guess since Ma is the more famous of the two the title capitalizes on that. The movie could have better job of framing this movie and setting expectations.