User Comments for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Jordyep says...

3 years ago

When I found out this was based on a play, things started to fall into place in my mind.
The way this was handled (writing/directing) feels heightened, too much so for my taste.
At points it actually feels like you’re watching a play fold out.
The actors aren’t just acting, they’re giving a **performance**.
If that’s your thing, enjoy the movie.
If it rings to you as inauthentic (like it does for me), it might not be your thing.
Still, it’s too well made, produced and shot to completely trash it.

5/10

Like - Dislike - 301

Reply to Jordyep

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Reply by lezelmaz

3 years ago

@jordyep I agree. This production is more of a love letter to August Wilson than it is to Ma Rainy. Dee Rees' Bessie (2015) is far more interesting historical drama. Though props to Chadwick Bosman who was extraordinary and a tragic loss.

Reply - Like - Deslike - 00

luizerl says...

3 years ago

Take your attetion with the first scene, each characters has his own characteristics, background, beliefs that conflict with each other character. Chadwick robbes the scene, his character is extremely well written and very well perfomed. Viola Davis is marvelous as aways. But the movie looks more a play - same problem that Fences haved - then a movie, a lot of monologues (that I love) and the whole situation that takes place in one location. To me, one of the best of this year.

Like - Dislike - 200

Reply to luizerl

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

ILBaRsHaWi19 says...

3 years ago

Chadwick Boseman steals the movie as he's giving a lot of dialogue to shine and Viola Davis was great as usual .
I liked the fact that it was filmed in one place which gave the characters enough time to know about them diffrently.
Even the story is not that special the performances were good

Like - Dislike - 100

Reply to ILBaRsHaWi19

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Astrid Galactic says...

3 years ago

This movie had more to do with Ma's band philosophizing than Ma Rainey herself. Lots of okay scenes making good points, but you don't kick the star of the show out to do so.

I was really looking forward to seeing this movie but I was very disappointed in the end.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to Astrid Galactic

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Saint Pauly says...

3 years ago

Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is like a political rally: the music is great but why are they talking so much?

Based on the play of the same name, Ma Rainey works best when it focuses on the real woman and the music, but loses my interest when it gets distracted by play shit, i.e., monologues and melodrama.

Fortunately, the performances save this production. In addition to strong supporting roles, Viola Davis continues her string of infallible portrayals and I agree with many critics when they say this is probably thebest work Chadwick Boseman has ever done.

One nit I'd like to pick is the script's refusal to address the real Ma Rainey's homosexuality. Vague insinuations do an injustice to the woman, and their absence is a distraction to the overall film.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to Saint Pauly

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

miguelreina says...

3 years ago

[Netflix] If something is hypnotic in this film, it is its actors, who create a rich and complex character composition. But there is a special dimension to the work of Chadwick Boseman, a difficult character because of his deep inner torture. Unfortunately, the director fails to ensure that the excellent text has a visual envelope to match, which makes for a stuffy film, less vital than the great performances.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to miguelreina

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

joe9inety says...

3 years ago

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, chimes-in on so many notes it’s abjectly hard to describe how deep the metaphors of this film go. Not only a tremendous ode to the legend that is “Gertrude Pridgett” but a terrific farewell to “gone too soon” Chadwick Boseman. A moving performance held together by the all too familiar and stereotyped “Mad Black Woman” magic that is Viola Davis. For many this will be seen as a straightforward Stage Play adaptation, but in reality it reveals the savvy nature of early pioneers and the snubbed Black experience. It also uncovers what is now transparently the culture vulture nature of the music industry. A definite recommendation.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to joe9inety

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

fungus1487 says...

3 years ago

Captivates you from the start, some fantastic character studies and you get lost in the back and forth conversation between a tightly wound group of strong individuals. I could sit and just watch the conversation flow for hours some really stellar performances.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to fungus1487

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

faithful soul says...

3 years ago

A fine acting showcase for a talented cast, not least the much-missed Boseman. However, the movie's stage origins are clear, and while there is nothing wrong with this in essence, it means the film doesn't quite engage with the viewer on the screen. In my opinion, of course.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to faithful soul

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

kaosgud says...

3 years ago

this film is a complete waste of time, more than 1 hour of film revolving around a megalomaniac and a mentally disturbed

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to kaosgud

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

prizepatrol says...

3 years ago

Exceptional film! I absolutely loved it.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to prizepatrol

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

tgrbabydoll says...

3 years ago

Chadwick Boseman delivers a stellar performance as does the whole cast. Some of these comments from people thinking they are woke from their own racism ignore it's adapted from a play. Real acting required. It wasn't about the music. It wasn't about the special camera effects. It was about making you think outside of your bubble. Some of you failed miserably even though you were trying.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to tgrbabydoll

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Mindless_City23 says...

3 years ago

The film was good, not great. The performances of Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman are really good! It's bittersweet to see Chadwick Boseman's last performance here. He clearly had so much talent left to give. Viola Davis plays the diva so well!

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to Mindless_City23

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

gunsgirl says...

3 years ago

This movie was ok. So much dialogue and later realized it was based on a play.... the movie redeemed itself at the end with a sequence of events. Viola Davis is great in this movie.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to gunsgirl

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Van Nyx says...

3 years ago

A film with layers like an onion.
Ma has foresight, she knows herself and her worth, while the Levee breaks under the pressure.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to Van Nyx

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

r96sk says...

3 years ago

Excellent!

'Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom' features great performances from Viola Davis (Ma) and Chadwick Boseman (Levee). Their characters aren't flawless, yet Davis and Boseman make them each a fascinating watch; the latter has one film-stealing scene. They both truly give their all. The other cast members, spearheaded by Colman Domingo (Cutler), are good as well.

The plot is riveting and very well told, with near perfect pacing and an astutely chosen run time; a 2hr film, for example, would've dragged. The end scene is a noteworthy one, also. There is a lot to enjoy here, even for a story filled with sadness and injustice. Highly recommend.

Like - Dislike - 000

Reply to r96sk

Please use spoiler tags: [spoiler] text [/spoiler]

Type in any movie or show to find where you can watch it, or type a person's name.

User Comments for: Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

Watchmode

Some stuff

Follow Watchmode