Much respect for Miss Viola! Love her as an artist. She is such a chameleon on the screen...one minute playing a scorned wife and mother (Fences), a neglectful mother (Antwoine Fisher), and then playing a blues icon (Ma Rainey).
The irony was Chadwick Boseman's character was so nonchalant and selfish, which was the complete opposite of who he was. They say he broke down and cried at the end of production. I would imagine, he knew he wasn't going to live to see the Netflix premiere come to light😢 He put all he had, literally into his last performance. Genuine talent Much Love n Respect R.I.P Mr. Boseman And Ms. Viola Davis show up n kill Everytime 💕🙌🏿
@@dr.dark2988 Too me it wasn’t bad it was o OK and I watched it twice the plot is terrible some of the characters are terrible but it’s mostly fun to watch.
The acting by EVERYONE in this film is truly amazing, but watching Chadwick Boseman’s performance reminded me that we will be deprived of his talent...and it made me so sad. Rest In Peace, Mr. Boseman.
For those inquiring about a more depth story of Ma Rainey, this isn’t a biography. This covers a recording of one of her song which is all based on a play.
Well that's just a brief synopsis. Yes, it is a snapshot of her life as a music artist and a significant record. BUT, it definitely dives deeper into the trauma of black people, juxtaposed to the sound of the blues and the emotions it convicts among the masses. Bozeman portrays this MAGNIFICENTLY!
The end of the movie ("jelly roll" song) should help people to understand why people are so put off by and vocal about Culture Vultures, black fishers, ETC. There's a deep rooted, long standing history behind it.....
Anyone complaining about the movie focusing on Levee should know this movie is based off a play that came out in the 80s. Yall had over 30 years to complain about this story
I thought it was going to be a biopic but instead it’s a play. Picked up on that during the rehearsal scene. Less about Ma and more about life...in America... The Blues. Really powerful. There’s a line where she says something like “white folks only know about the existence of Blues, but they don’t know how it got here.” There is so much pain caused by external forces and the grief is turned inwards. If you stop to think about what each character represents (even the band at the end), it’s so deep it’ll give you chills. When you hear those stories and see what these characters do, you’ll understand.
I already knew that was going to happen, but in his case he was partly to blame. Because he was to consumed with becoming successful by any means necessary. Oppose to remaining humble, and doing things the right way.
@@ladennayoung2939 did you even watch the movie? Levee was broken. To the point where he could make no healthy choices. He was delusional. Very sad character with a terrible and sad story. Played by one of the great actors of our time. Both performances by Chad & Viola were impeccable!
My guy was already at rock bottom, and mentally he was *fractured* from the childhood trauma. That white man stilling his best work was the breaking point.
@@LondonHasFallin Yes and it reveals a lot about today! It shows how no matter what black creators have, someone comes along an puts a white face on it for it to be more "acceptable." This is sad but true. Whether or not he had stabbed that man in the back, that producer or whatever would've still had them white men singing Levee's music.
It is ashame that so many people don't know who Ma is. I listen to ALL KIND of music and i discovered her in my teens and fell in love with blues cause of her.
I’d recommend everyone mislead into thinking that this film was a biopic to do some research. It was a great film adaptation to an already wonderful play.
@@canterlevi "address", what for...it's not a biopic. She was proudly and openly bi-sexual (something we see on display) so there was nothing to address at that point in her story. This is later in her career
It's sad when people leave an indelible mark and never live to see the rewards. Never live to see how much their fame grew or the recognition they receive. Sigh* give people their flowers while they're alive. Sadly, it's the next generation who does it.
@@missym877 I get what you mean as artist. But while you are doing music, painting, writing, etc, you want to be acknowledged for your work and creativity. You want people to take notice. You don't always have to produce for consumers, and in fact it's good to write for yourself. But, it never hurts to be noticed.
Thanks to the legendary August Wilson for capturing Getrude Ma Rainey’s story and giving it a platform in the 1980s. Thanks to Denzel Washington for leading the team that brought Ma Rainey’s story to Netflix!
Viola Davis needs an award for this role. She transformed into Ma Rainey. Great job to Chadwick Bozeman and Denzel Washington for bringing MaRaineys story to film.
Love this genre of music! I started listening to her in my early 20s and it’s like I get transported back in time to my ancestors’ youth! Can’t wait to see the movie ☺️ love Viola, she’s so talented and of course Chadwick, may he rest in peace!!
The movie was a lil too deep for some folks. I see it went over alot of ppl heads. Lol Fences was recieved the same way. But for those of us who get it- we appreciate how this story was told.
FOR EVERYONE COMPLAINING THAT THIS MOVIE WAS ONLY ABOUT LEVEE THIS IS A SCENARIO STORY NOT A BIOGRAPHY THIS WAS ALSO BASED ON A PLAY WHICH FOLLOWS THE SAME SYNOPSIS. Compare this movie to dreamgirls and sparkle the characters are based on real people but are not biographical
This show was amazing!!! Denzel did an excellent job but the actors knocked this out the park (especially Viola and Chadwick)... It's been a while since I watched a really good movie. R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman
It’s an adaptation screenplay, meaning it comes from the theater . So it will be very similar to the play mostly a one room setting and lengthy monologues from one actor or actress. In that’s one of categories this movie will probably be Oscar nominated for adaptation screenplay among other categories this movie will be nominated for . Actor , actress, costume , best picture.
This movie was unlike any other movie I’ve seen. It didn’t have any action in it so it had to rely on its characters to keep you enraptured in the story. There was also some symbolism that could be seen throughout the film that added a deeper meaning to the characters and the struggle they were tasked with portraying. Viola and Chadwick were both amazing 🤩 but the other characters also added important elements. Also the movie managed to create a growing tension between it and its viewers by keeping them in a perpetual state of anxiety as the story unfolded. So, if you are looking for something to get your heart racing without any real gore or action, this would be the film for you.
I also noticed the importance of Levee being excited about having new shoes. we didn't have much things then and even the same in most cases today so when we have a few dollars to do something for ourselves it would have been something that we felt made us look and feel good so when he was insulted by the white man and his music was stolen (Culture Vultures) he couldn't express his anger to that white man unfortunately the next person that he could express his anger to was his own brother a man of his own kind I don't think he wanted to kill him the anger was obviously misplaced and that is something that we do today from the shoes all the way down to the unnecessary death (like when ppl say "Black on Black Crime) He was already mentally scarred from a child as he explained.. My Mind instantly connected his trauma to alot of what we see today. Seeing this Video on the Anniversary of her death. Rip Ma Rainey. Im Grateful to be learning about you and ur Music ✨ Rip Chadwick✨
You make some very good and true points there. If we look at symbolism in cinema, the shoes have a deeper meaning. Levee spend a LOT of money on those shoes, the band commented on that. Levee bought those shoes because he was truly convinced that he was IN. He was going to form a band, record some songs and make serious money like Ma Rainey! He let it go to his head. But then that producer tricked him. Levee came crashing down. He realized he bought shoes that he actually couldn't afford. So it wasn't his shoe that got stepped on, it was his dreams and future that got stepped on. So Levee snapped.
I feel like Ma would have totally loved being indicted into halls of fame, and having plays and movies and stamps made about her. She seems like a real cool cat.
This was a very good story. I liked that it showed Ma used her power to benefit herself. What people need to take from this is how the record labels were stealing from performers and writers from the beginning. Ma should have had more money sent her way. The same can be said for other performers. Glad they put this movie out! Learn from the entertainment.
Doesn’t take long at all to recognize this movie has the special magic that makes a great movie . Whomever worked on this , hats off . Yeah man . Had to come outside for a smoke after the recording studio scene . Excited to go back in and watch .
That’s what really threw me off big time, I hated that scene so much big time and then I hated the movie for most of it, I would never act out them words in a movie that, it makes you wonder what people will do for money, I love my Lord God Almighty big time.
@@karenmontana9227 Everyone does not feel the way you do! People get mad at God everyday!!! I thought his performance was powerful and it makes me wonder if his fatal diagnosis played a part in him delivering such a believable performance. I personally feel God is an understanding God and we have human emotions, he created us in his likeness. Even Jesus asked why has thou forsaken me when he was on the cross... You think he wasn’t feeling betrayed by his own father at that point??
Viola is amazing in this role. Also, thanks for including more history on Ma Rainey; it's always wonderful to have history shared with newer generations who might not seek it out themselves.
Viola’s real raw performance lives and vibrates with life. Her soul shines through and sparkles/glistening with passion. So grateful to have more, real films showing the hard work, creativity, blood, sweat and tears of our black history. A million Thank You’s. Please keep these quality creative films coming. God bless you all. 💐
The movie made me angry depressed. It made me had a breakdown. This movie made me angry, sad and hv trust issues of the music industry or to the extend of other industries too and don't get me started on the racism. I came out of watching it feeling dissatisfied and dissapointed. That's just how i felt but DAMN it made it's points and i had the utmost respect for the movie. Hats off👍 It's well made even though half the time i had no idea what they're talking about😂the ending had my mouth wide open. Do I want to watch it again? No, because of the thought of me having another breakdown. But i recommend y'all to watch.
I'm kind of irritated that the narrator of this video referred to this as a biopic when it clearly is not that having been based on the August Wilson play. Now I'm LESS irritated with the people who are saying this phenomenal piece "sucked" because there wasn't enough about Ma. The way it was advertised does it a disservice and the themes this play-turned-movie is commenting on get overshadowed by the disappointment people felt at not being told the story of Ma Rainey's life. It is obvious that her life and rise to fame are not central to this story. One could even argue that the story is barely about her, if it's about her at all. I would even argue that this is more about Levee or at the least they are comparable characters whose experiences are pointing to a larger overall theme, bigger than either one of their stories. For those who did not realize this was a play in movie form, I'd suggest watching it again with that lens rather than looking for a biopic about Ma Rainey's life as it was never intended to be that. Hell, Levee isn't even a real person - that's your first clue right there!
Because of the assumption I had think it would be about what they assumed to be her life I was very disappointed I lover biopics.. didn’t lie we were getting a screen play
Great movie you would have to figure out how her life was. Wish it was more about her, but still a great performance. She was something else. Chad last performance was awesome
I hated to see Chadwick in this light for his last movie role. Of course he did a really good job. But he was so cold and angry in this movie. I know some people wanted it to focus on Ma Rainey's character more. But I think it did a really good job displaying what certain emotions can cause you to do if you don't address them. Un-forgiveness, anger, and bitterness will destroy you in the end. And I think people should take that from the movie, and prayerfully apply it to their lives. The enemy wish to sift us as wheat. None of us are exempt.
Tough to watch, but the best drama gets deep inside your soul and this movie did that for me. And Chadwick's appearance was a reminder of how sick he really was, which added to the performance. Felt the same way watching him in "Da 5 Bloods".
I absolutely loved the energy he brought to this character it was not Chadwick but it was Levee and that is what acting is all about,stellar performance by Chadwick Boseman he give us his all bravo 👏🏾 bravo 👏🏾
It was honestly his best acting to me . This is Oscar nomination acting you have to dig deep be dark let the character take over and he did all that in more . If you have have ever seen August Wilson plays he always has scenes that go deep that actors and actresses have to make come to life
@Isn’t she Lovely Agree much! Sooo unfair to her personal history, incongruent with afro am history, and shame to afro am exprerience, wish I could say not shamed
I adored this film! I really savored the wide array of themes from desperation, rage, pain, and everything else in between. It took me to a dark place while hand-feeding me a spoon full of hope at the same time. I was heavy and just a great work that the actors made come to life very well. I'm grateful to have seen this.
While Missy Elliott may resemble Ma Rainey, Missy is not a classically trained actress. This is not a music video but a full movie. Love Missy's beats but she could not carry the movie. The studio needed an actress. Very lucky Miss Viola was available to take the role.
This movie was good but it would have been better if they actually told the story about who the singer was I felt like it was mostly about Chadwick bozeman and less on ma Rainey which I know nothing about.
I agree I thought the movie was more based on the story of the band there wasn’t much of a story line with Ma Rainey. I hope another movie is made in the future but in depth and more detail on the life of Ma Rainey.
Chadwick Boseman left a beautiful footprint in all the movies he played. R.I.P. Chadwick Boseman. Let's just thank Viola Davis for her amazing acting n portraying this lovely legend. Ma Rainey
Though I don't think black women created traditional Chinese music, black women have created and or contributed heavily to ALL forms of African American music. I'd love to see Big Mama Thornton the mother of Rock n Roll shown her respects too.
African American music? You mean music period? Blues created country/ blue grass music which created rock and roll which was created by black people. And then you have R&B! Hip hop, rap, all American forms of music don’t put African in front of it please that’s highly inaccurate.
@@JCRLIKEVCR Its simple. Americans who were of African descent created those genres therefore, it is African American music. I'm not arrogant, I'd love to hear why you don't think it's accurate for me to call it this Instead of American music?
I live in Columbus, GA. The Ma Rainey House is here. I've never been in there even though I lived right up the street from it. I just might go now, this has piqued my interest to know more about her.
This movie was soooooo good. Viola Davis left her soul on that stage. Chadwick Bozeman should earn an Oscar posthumously. I LOVED IT!! THANK YOU August Wilson for your writing and to the gentleman who directed it, 🙌🙌🙌🙌
I’m so proud of her for being who she was when it was so very hard to do that. I’m struggling to find the words to describe how inspiring and moving it felt to watch someone hold their own that way. And the music positively gave me chills. I had never seen it and I download it on Netflix for a plane ride. I was crying and smiling and laughing like a goofball next to a stranger on a plane. 😅
She is fascinating, strong, talented! ❤️ Just watched the movie as well! Great filmography!!! Very upset Chadwick Aaron Boseman just died this year - too young! Loved his performance/acting ! RIP
I loved this movie because it reminded me of my Grandmother. She introduced my siblings and I to the Blues as children. She was great friends with B.B King and Bobby Blue Bland. So to hear the great story of Ma Rainey reminds me that all the music I was raised on listening to came from great souls like her.
Was ironic. He had made an impassioned speech about how he’d learned to work with the white man by watching his dad smile to get along, yet later he exacted revenge. Except when Levee got screwed over for his songs, he took it out on the wrong person, and let the white man get away with it. It was very sad.