What would music be without the blues? Legendary “Mother of the Blues” singer Ma Rainey gets the film treatment in Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. A trailer for the upcoming Netflix movie dropped on Monday. 

Now, this feature marks late actor Chadwick Boseman‘s final film, so naturally this will be an emotional viewing for folks the world over. Viola Davis stars as the titular Rainey, who made an indelible mark on the music industry with her sultry voice and innovative musical stylings. Boseman portrays Levee, an ambitious horn player who pushes Rainey’s buttons at every turn. From Levee’s ambitiousness to her overly controlling white management, Rainey finds herself stuck between a rock and a hard place. In the trailer, Rainey comments on how the world only wants her for her voice. 

Based on the trailer, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom appears to be a glitzy dive into the venerated vocalist’s rise into the stratosphere. There’s vaudevillian dancing, plenty of bluesy crooning, drama and shots of Boseman’s charming Levee. Not to mention, Davis will undoubtedly bless us with another Oscar-winning performance. 

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Denzel Washington produced the picture while George C. Wolfe serves as director. Scribe Ruben Santiago-Hudson penned a screenplay that was influenced by playwright August Wilson‘s 1984 play of the same name. Wilson’s play touched on the historic exploitation of black artists by white producers. I’m interested to see that on display in Netflix’s adaptation. 

I, for one, am excited. Of course, I’m sad that this is Boseman’s final film, but I’m ready to see the late gifted actor give an extraordinary performance. Thankfully, he’s immortalized on screen. Davis is exemplary in everything she does. 

You can check out the trailer below. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom stars Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Colman DomingoGlynn TurmanMichael PottsJonny CoyneDusan Brown and Taylour Paige. Be sure to tune in for a toe-tapping time Friday, December 18, only on Netflix. 

What do you think of the Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom trailer? Sound off in the comments below!

 

 

Melody McCune
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