Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Movie Review

 Ma Rainey's Black Bottom - Movie Review


Critic Score - 7 of 10

General Audience Score - 7 of 10

The 2020 movie Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a wonderfully engaging feature film based on a stage production of the same name. The film entry is a very competent and skillfully managed adaptation by the writer and also by the director who is able to do a lot with the material. The strongest points in the movies favor are the performances, of which this film will almost certainly get strong Oscar consideration for Davis and Boseman. While either or both of the two are on screen, they do most of the heavy lifting for the film, its difficult to turn away from watching what they're doing. Its really some of the finest work we've ever seen from either of the two.

Some of the other aspects of this film such as the writing, directing, sound work, editing and production design can also be praised. Some more than others. For cinephiles all these things make the film impressive, albeit limited in their scope. Coming in at just over an hour and a half, this movie has some room for improvement and could use some fine tuning in the writing and editing. With all the things this movie has going for it, the look and feel of this film really helps to pull you in and for general audiences it can provide a very entertaining watch. 

The movie also lags for a few moments here and there but it may simply be due to the fact that almost the entirety of the movie takes place in 2 rooms. But the overall story of Ma Rainey's movie and the messages it has are strong, important and relevant for our time. In short there is something here for everyone, from cinephiles and movie enthusiasts to everyday moviegoers. That's why I fell at a 7 of 10 for general audience score, most everyone can find a nice, brief, enjoyable movie going experience here. And cinephiles will revel in the performances and all the very fine work going on in the different layers of this movie, even if we wish there was a little more of it. My critic score is at the same 7 of 10 but I must admit this is on the low end, I could see this movie improving upon further watches and growing in my esteem.

Thank you for reading my thoughts on Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.

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