Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
2020 · Movie · R · 93 min · ★ 6.6 · 92% critics
In 1927 Chicago, a celebrated blues singer arrives at a recording studio with her band, and a single session turns into a pressure cooker. As egos clash and the people in charge push for control, the musicians confront ambition, respect, and the cost of making art in an unfair system.
Based on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
Where to watch
Streaming on Netflix.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 2020
- Release date
- 2020-11-25
- Language
- English
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Max quality
- UHD
- Critic score
- 92/100
- TMDB rating
- 6.6/10 (1,260 votes)
About
You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a dialogue-driven, performance-first drama about power, ambition, and exploitation in the music business, similar in feel to Fences; Not for you if you need lots of locations, action, or a plot-heavy story.
Pros: powerhouse ensemble performances; gripping, quotable dialogue; tense studio atmosphere | Cons: feels like filmed play; thin on plot; divisive music moments
Themes
- chicago, illinois
- recording studio
- based on play or musical
- singer
- lesbian relationship
- lgbt
- blues music
- black lgbt
- trumpet player
- 1920s
Awards & recognition
- Dorian Award — LGBTQ Film of the Year · 2020
Cast & crew
Viola Davis
as Ma Rainey
Chadwick Boseman
as Levee
Colman Domingo
as Cutler
Glynn Turman
as Toledo
Michael Potts
as Slow Drag
Jeremy Shamos
as Irvin
Jonny Coyne
as Sturdyvant
Taylour Paige
as Dussie Mae
Dusan Brown
as Sylvester
Joshua Harto
as Policeman
Directed by George C. Wolfe