Kathleen Flood

The whole cast give a depth and powerful integrity to the telling of 'What could well have been' in the life of this extravagantly talented vocal powerhouse from a long-gone era. Ma Rainey's influence on future decades of female vocalists is clear, as is her diamond-hard resolve to never quail in the presence of malignant philosophies or forces. This film tugs at many strings in the hearts of all thinking people and reminds us all that the past is just a long comet tail still attached to our tumultuous present. I experienced heartfelt joy seeing a relatively unknown yet incandescent historical music figure given life by the almost unworldly talented Viola Davis. Must see viewing whether you have music in your blood or not!