Review | Netflix movie review: Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom – Chadwick Boseman, in his final role, lifts tale of race, sexuality and creativity

The story of a jazz recording session in 1920s Chicago is packed with chemistry between the characters

Adapted from a play, you can feel the movie’s dramatic roots, but it’s a scorching, character-driven triumph

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Viola Davis as Ma Rainey in a still from Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, directed by George C. Wolfe. Photo: David Lee/Netflix

Published: 1:00am, 21 Nov 2020Updated: 5:48am, 21 Nov 2020

4/5 stars

Director George C. Wolfe has the unenviable task of bringing alive a feature film – adapted from August Wilson’s 1984 play about beloved blues singer Ma Rainey – that largely takes place in a couple of rooms.

The story of how the irascible Rainey (played by a marvellous Viola Davis) settled in for a recording session in 1920s Chicago, it’s a sultry, sweaty number that will be remembered not just for Davis’ stinging turn but the final performance of Chadwick Boseman.

The Black Panther star, who died earlier this year aged 43, already had a remarkable body of work to his name, to which can now be added the volatile Levee, a session musician with dreams of performing his own songs. It’s a combustible performance, full of anger and rage.

Even without his death, it would be right up there with the best of Boseman’s career. But when he recites Levee’s line about mortality – “death will kick your ass and make you wish you never been born!” – it feels shocking.

However, it would be unjust to focus on Boseman or Widows star Davis, who is almost unrecognisable, her physique made to look heftier and imposing. Others in the band include Cutler (Colman Domingo), Toledo (Glynn Turman) and Slow Drag (Michael Potts) – and the chemistry between all of them fizzes at times.