The long gestating Nina Simone biopic now seems to be officially moving forward, as it’s been confirmed that singer Mary J. Blige will play the music icon in the upcoming film. Blige has been attached to the role for years, but the project never seemed to move forward until now.
“The Brave One” writer Cynthia Mort will be writing and directing here and we have to say we do have our reservations about the project. A jazz musician of the highest order and a beacon for the civil rights movement, Simone really stood in a class all her own. She had a commanding presence, fierce personality and didn’t hold her tongue. We’re a bit curious why the film, entitled “Nina,” will focus “on Simone’s relationship later in life with her assistant Clifton Henderson (David Oyelowo).” By far the most interesting facets of her life revolve around her rise from a Julliard-trained pianist, who ended up playing Atlantic City clubs and never really thought about singing. Some of her best work empowered African Americans, and in turn, changed the expectations of what could and should be. A film about her latter day life? Meh.
The other question is if Blige has the presence to really embody Simone. Also, does she have the voice? Simone’s distinctive, vulnerable croon will be hard to emulate, but we also don’t see Blige lip-synching either. We have our doubts about the film, but if it means that it brings Simone’s music to a new audience, we’re for it.
Budgeted at $10 million, the biopic will shoot in France in September.
