Even if the film didn’t have the added context of Chadwick Boseman’s recent passing, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” has all the makings of a serious awards season contender. However, when you add the fact that the musical drama also serves as the late actor’s final work, there’s added importance for the upcoming Netflix film.
As seen in the trailer for “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” the film follows the story of a young trumpet player (Boseman) that is trying to revolutionize the music being performed by the popular blues singer, Ma Rainey (Viola Davis). Of course, there are those that wonder if he’s only looking out for himself or if he is onto something special.
Joining Davis and Boseman in the cast are Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Jeremy Shamos, Dusan Brown, and Joshua Harto. The film is directed by George C. Wolfe, who is probably best known for his most recent feature, “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.” ‘Ma Rainey’s’ is written by Ruben Santiago-Hudson, based on a play from August Wilson.
“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” will arrive in select theaters in November before arriving on the streaming platform on December 18. You can watch the new trailer below.
Here’s the synopsis:
Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey (Academy Award® winner Viola Davis). Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Chadwick Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.
