Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

[A Director]

I watched the movie tonight. It is an EVENT. Viola and Chad are outstanding. Give them their Oscar now.  The rest of the cast are very good. I have some minor quibbles with the directing at the beginning, but things settle down. The movie is a hit to the gut.  It is not to be missed.

[quizking101]

I think Chadwick’s posthumous Oscar is more or less a foregone conclusion at this point - a nomination at minimum.

I honestly loved the film and could really feel the tension building up in that small space until it came to blows. However, it never felt dragged out and the pacing was excellent. I also adored the costuming and overall production design.

[LarryD2]

I hope Glynn Turman is remembered in the supporting category.

[BrodyFosse123]

I hope they start mentioning that the fabulous Maxayn Lewis provided the singing vocals for Ma Rainey/Viola Davis.  Everyone I know thought that was Viola Davis singing.   

[dramamama611]

Ahhh...movie magic. Most people SHOULD think that. Being a voice is a thankless job.

Viola did sing one song, I do not know which.

I cant wait to watch. I've heard Coleman Domingo is also excellent.

[Kad]

It’s a pretty impeccable film with tremendous performances.

[BrodyFosse123]

dramamama611 said: "Ahhh...movie magic. Most people SHOULD think that. Being a voice is a thankless job.

Viola did sing one song, I do not know which.

The one moment where you will actually hear Davis' singing voice comes about 25 minutes into the film. Ma embraces her girlfriend Dussie Mae (Taylour Paige) and croons "Those Dogs of Mine" directly into her ear. It's an intimate moment, and Davis almost talks through the melody as part of her seduction. Her voice cracks as she kisses Dussie Mae's neck.

 

[GiantsInTheSky2]

I am just so happy about this. Looking forward to Denzel’s future August Wilson adaptations.

[Miles2Go2]

I thought this was phenomenal. Much to ponder on. I also watched the companion short-film about the play on Netflix afterwards which I highly recommend. I will say my only quibble was that I never for a minute thought that was Davis’s voice during the musical performances. It just didn’t match the speaking voice of her Ma Rainey. Exceptional performance regardless. Chadwick’s performance was everything. Not sure how much of the weight loss was for the role and how much was the result of his illness. So sad to think about all the future performances he will never get to give, but what a final performance. Also, sad that August Wilson died at a relatively young age (60), but what an important legacy and vast amount of work he left behind. As I’ve only seen this and Fences on film, here’s to hoping more of his works are revived on stage and/or film.

[GiantsInTheSky2]

Miles2Go2 said: "As I’ve only seen this and Fences on film, here’s to hoping more of his works are revived on stage and/or film. "

Your hopes are being as answered! Denzel Washington made an agreement with the Wilson estate, and he said in 2015 that he would be executive producing nine of the plays in The Cycle, and starring in one (which was Fences). 

[A Director]

An interesting  article  about the play and the film.

https://www.post-gazette.com/ae/theater-dance/2020/12/11/Ma-Rainey-movie-play-different-August-Wilson-Christopher-Rawson/stories/202012110014

[darquegk]

As a Pittsburgher born and raised, it wasn’t until grad school that I discovered Wilson was a comparatively minor figure in American literature, and not the single predominant voice of the twentieth century drama.

[Alexander Lamar]

I agree regarding the mismatch between speaking voice/singing voice. It was a bit distracting.

Sill, excellent performances all around. Anyone think Colman Domingo could get a Supporting nom?

[A Director]

darquegk said: "As a Pittsburgher born and raised, it wasn’t until grad school that I discovered Wilson was a comparatively minor figure in American literature, and not the single predominant voice of the twentieth century drama."

What?  How long ago were you in grad school? There are many important voices in twentieth century American drama. August Wilson is high on the list.  Unlike O'Neill, Williams , Miller, Shepard, Lanford Wilson, he wrote a 10 play cycle.  The 10 will continue being studied and performed for years. On a side note, for many in the White American Theatre, August Wilson is The Black Playwright, so the plays of other Black writers are ignored.  Of course, some people think musicals are the be all and end all of theatre.  They have a limited view of theatre and the world.

 

[ggersten]

I think there was a play titled “The Black Spot” about a theatre company scheduling a season with a spot reserved each year for an AA play which was always a Wilson play.

[SouthernCakes]

How is it normally presented on stage? All in the recording studio? Single set kind of production?

[sabrelady]

SouthernCakes said: "How is it normally presented on stage? All in the recording studio? Single set kind of production?"

My memory is that it's all in the recording studio. I think that there are some lighting changes that imply private conversations but that may have just been directorial choice.

[A Director]

SouthernCakes said: "How is it normally presented on stage? All in the recording studio? Single set kind of production?"

There are two locations: the recording studio with the control booth and the "band room" in the basement.  Do a Google Image search to see different productions.

 

[SouthernCakes]

Oh good idea! Will do.

Also, I was lost on the meaning of the other room that Chadwick’s character kicks the door in towards the end? Hope that’s not a spoiler.

[Miles2Go2]

I recommend you watch the short documentary about the show that’s on Netflix. It will describe the difference between the stage production and the Netflix version regarding that door. It’s meaning is metaphorical

[henrikegerman]

LarryD2 said: "I hope Glynn Turman is remembered in the supporting category."

Second!

[henrikegerman]

darquegk said: "As a Pittsburgher born and raised, it wasn’t until grad school that I discovered Wilson was a comparatively minor figure in American literature, and not the single predominant voice of the twentieth century drama."

Wilson is a major figure in American literature.

 

[henrikegerman]

darquegk said: "As a Pittsburgher born and raised, it wasn’t until grad school that I discovered Wilson was a comparatively minor figure in American literature, and not the single predominant voice of the twentieth century drama."

Wilson is a major figure in American literature.

 

[dramamama611]

Watched last night - wow, what a terrific film!  I am so hoping for many, MANY nominations for this and, hopefully, lots of wins.

 

Such beautiful work from so many.

[Plannietink08]

Boseman and Davis deserves Oscars. Those performances were insanely good and I was so wrapped in the film that I forgot I was watching either of them. 

 

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The ending with Boseman’s character realising he has lost his future and any glory he knew he could achieve with his talent compared to Boseman passing away before he was able to achieve the real life glory he was likely to reach in his career was absolutely heartbreaking and actually made my cold heart tear up a little bit.