Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is a 2020 American drama film directed by George C. Wolfe and written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, based on the 1982 play of the same name by August Wilson. The film stars Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, and Michael Potts. The story is set in 1927 Chicago and focuses on a recording session where tensions rise between Ma Rainey, a trailblazing blues singer, and her band.
The film pays tribute to Ma Rainey, an influential blues singer and the title character, and features long, uncut, engaging monologues, captivating dialogues, and entertaining banter.
Plot
The plot of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom revolves around a recording session in 1927 Chicago, where tensions rise between Ma Rainey, a trailblazing blues singer, and her band. The story deals with issues of race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists by white producers.
Ma Rainey, a renowned black singer in the 1920s, is depicted as a strong-willed and highly regarded blues singer who has recently been contracted by white producers for a recording session at Paramount recording studios in Chicago.
The film explores the power dynamics and conflicts that arise during the recording session, shedding light on the struggles and experiences of Black artists in the music industry during that era.
The plot also delves into the personal and professional challenges faced by the characters, particularly Ma Rainey and her band members, as they navigate the complexities of the music business and societal prejudices.
Cast
- Viola Davis as Ma Rainey
- Chadwick Boseman as Levee Green
- Glynn Turman as Toledo
- Colman Domingo as Cutler
- Michael Potts as Slow Drag.
Director: George C. Wolfe
Writer: Ruben Santiago-Hudson
Box Office Gross: No information
Distributor: Netflix
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 25, 2020
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 18, 2020
Themes & Reception
The main themes of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" include power and exploitation, race, art, life, the blues, history, tradition, change, and creative collaboration. The film explores the complex power dynamics that Black artists had to navigate in the exploitative entertainment industry of the 1920s.
It also examines the relationship between Black artists and the world of mass communications in the early twentieth century, which mirrors the position of Black people in society at large, a society dominated by white racism.
The film has received critical acclaim for the performances of Davis and Boseman, with the latter's performance being his final role before his death.
Visual Styles & Techniques
The visual style and techniques used in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom are primarily reflected in the hair, makeup, costumes, and cinematography of the film. The hair and makeup team, led by Sergio Lopez-Rivera and Mia Neal, transformed Viola Davis into Ma Rainey, using custom wigs and makeup to create the character's iconic look.
The costumes, designed by Ann Roth, reflect the fashion of the 1920s and the character's personalities, with Ma Rainey's outfits being particularly striking and expressive. The cinematography, by Tobias Schliessler, uses a mix of close-ups, wide shots, and tracking shots to capture the intensity and emotion of the characters and their performances.
The film's visual style and techniques contribute to the immersive and engaging experience of the film, bringing the characters and their world to life in a vivid and captivating way.
Legacy
Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is an important addition to the legacy of Chadwick Boseman, who tragically passed away in 2020. Boseman's performance in the film has been widely praised and is considered one of his final and most powerful roles
Settings
The play Ma Rainey's Black Bottom is set in a recording studio in Chicago in 1927. It takes place on the day when Ma Rainey, a popular blues singer, and the members of her band are recording a song.
The setting of the play is significant as it provides the backdrop for exploring various themes, including race, art, religion, and the historic exploitation of Black recording artists. The dilapidated recording studio serves as a metaphor for the struggles and challenges faced by Black artists during that time period.
The specific time and place of the setting, Chicago in 1927, also contribute to the historical context of the play. It allows the audience to delve into the social and cultural dynamics of the era, including the impact of racial segregation and the emergence of the blues as a powerful form of expression for African Americans.
Trivia
• Vocals for Ma Rainey:
While Viola Davis portrays Ma Rainey in the film, most of the vocals for the character are provided by singer Maxayn Lewis.
• Levee's actor:
The role of Levee, played by Chadwick Boseman, was his final film role. He passed away while the movie was in post-production.
• Weight gain:
To accurately portray the heavyset titular singer, Viola Davis gained weight and went up to around 200 pounds. She also used a fat suit for certain scenes.
Fun Fact
One interesting fact about "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is that the title of the play and film is derived from one of Ma Rainey's songs. The song "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" refers to the Black neighborhoods of cities across the country, including Detroit, and also has a double entendre, alluding to sexual innuendo.
Ma Rainey, also known as the "Mother of the Blues," was a pioneering blues singer in the 1920s. She not only popularized the genre of classic blues but also helped write it. While many blues singers of the time performed songs written by others, Rainey penned at least one-third of the songs she recorded, including the iconic "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom".
This connection between the title of the play/film and Ma Rainey's song adds depth and significance to the portrayal of her life and legacy in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."