Ma Rainey's Black Bottom 2020

More of a theatrical event than a movie one, its really a filmed play with two powerhouse performances by Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman. Based on Ma Rainey the gay black blues singer of the 20's who little is known about. Tied up in the play-film is a story of the African American experience of the early part of the 20th Century that is set in Chicago and brought to mind the great Jacob Lawrence's seminal series of small paintings that document this important migration moment in African American history when thousands of black people left the south for the north and a better life, or so they thought. The film is short and is mostly compelling when Viola Davis is on, I wanted more of her. Boseman is the thorn in everyone's side, cocky, argumentative, violent, and ultimately heartbreaking throwing himself at a brick wall, literally and figuratively. There are too many loose ends and lost chances with this adaptation that was directed by the highly regarded theatrical director George C. Wolfe but I would still say see it if only for two great actors at the top of their game. Don't be surprised to see Boseman get a posthumous Oscar for this.