Carol Ann Whitehead (The Zebra Partnership)

Produced by Denzel Washington (Happy 66th Birthday Sir) I watched Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom last night. Written by August Wilson his writing captures the rawness of the black American struggle and unwritten rules within those communities. Chadwick Bosemans character although fun loving and cocky had some emotional scarring from his time in the Deep South. Where as some actors are the same in every film. He really embraced the role. Brilliant. Viola Davis was unrecognisable, the characters power and arrogance was brilliantly portrayed extremely brave for a black woman to be like this in 1927 America. That said, she did make me feel uncomfortable - a testament to her performance. To conclude I am a lover of history and historical inspired literature, plays and films however I cannot relate to this, it didn’t connect for me personally. That’s not to say it’s not a good film. I did however enjoy the 30 minute documentary about the true story of Ma Rainey, interview with the effervescent Director, Denzel and the making of the film.