Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” is a new film on Netflix starring Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman in his last role. It’s the story of a recording session of a blues singer in the 1920’s. The film is based on a play by August Wilson and is a follow-up to “Fences” from a few years ago. Davis is transformed into a blue singer who is a star to her people. She is mesmerizing as a tough, single minded woman with immense talent and is ahead of her time. Boseman plays her horn player with his own past. while he looks frail, he is a powerhouse in this role. Both of the leads are being touted for awards and deservedly so. Great movie and the blues are great.