Review of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) by Megomike — 28 Jan 2021
Set in Chicago in the 1920s, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom covers a recording session of the hits of the “Mother of the Blues” and the interpersonal conflicts between the band and its horn player, Levee, between Levee and Ma, and between Ma and the white producers wringing her out for every last bit of profit while she’s hot.
The language is brilliantly written by Wilson and Santiago-Hudson, but unfortunately the reliance on so much dialogue with little action is occasionally a disservice to the film. Like a Blues Band version of a David Mamet play, Ma Rainey is a movie that simply plays better as a live performance, and short the wonderful performances of its cast and a timely theme, does little to keep the viewer engaged for a short 94 minutes.
This review of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (2020) was written by Megomike on 28 January 2021.
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom has generally received positive reviews.
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