Bonnie Bekken

Take a deep breath. Inhale the atmosphere that makes Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom the most exciting history lesson you’ll find. When and where have you had teachers like Viola Davis and Chad Bozeman educating you in roaring 20s ways and means to make meaningful music? Loving the schooling from two of film’s soundest, most solid, thoughtful, deeply talented stars, both equally entitled to Academy Awards.

There is nothing ordinary about this series. A club owner deals with a criminal elements, yes, and the people who work for him are susceptible and victimized, yes, But this is a jazz club in Paris, with a band of superior musicians who can act, are bilingual and believable, each with a story to bring to the intrigue. Writing, direction, and editing deserve awards, and If this limited series doesn’t pick up where it left off, I’m off Netflix.