Ma Rainey's Black Bottom

 Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman star in the film adaptation "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom", taken from the August Wilson play, directed by Denzel Washington.

"Ma Rainey" tells the story of an afternoon in the day of the life of Ma Rainey, famous singer of the 1920s, known as "the Mother of the Blues." Viola Davis stars as Rainey, and gives an adept performance. She is often unrecognizable in the role.

The late Chadwick Boseman plays Levee, an aspiring horn player in Rainey's back up band. This performance, his last ever caught on film, is frenetic, frantic, and haunting.

Ma Rainey was unapologetically queer in real life; in the film, the same is true. 

The film feels very much like watching the August Wilson play in a theater. 

It's an amazing piece of work, with a stellar cast, and should be on everyone's "must see" list.

Now streaming on Netflix, 5 stars.