Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

Set in 1927 Chicago, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" follows the recording session of the legendary blues singer Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) and her band. As the band gathers at a recording studio, tensions rise among the musicians due to their varying ambitions and the presence of racial inequalities in the music industry.

Levee Green, a talented and ambitious trumpet player, dreams of having his own band and recording his own music. He clashes with the older, more experienced members of Ma Rainey's band, particularly Cutler and Toledo, who are skeptical of his brash and impulsive demeanor.

Throughout the session, Ma Rainey asserts her power and demands respect from the studio owner and her white manager, pushing back against their attempts to control her music and image. As the day progresses, tensions continue to mount, culminating in a heated confrontation between Levee and the other band members over a tragic incident from his past.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a poignant and thought-provoking film that shines a light on the struggles and triumphs of African American artists during the Jazz Age. It presents a raw and unapologetic examination of race, power, and the quest for self-determination, leaving a lasting impact on its audience as one of the best movies about the American dream.

Release: 2020

Stars: Viola Davis, Chadwick Boseman, Glynn Turman

Rotten Tomatoes Score: 97%