1920s America was the start of a renaissance in the world of popular music.  It was the jazz age.  The blues were becoming popular as a offshoot of jazz.  Radio was getting started and recordings of music were a git with American consumers.

That all brought popularity and notoriety to a number of African-American music artists.  one of those was Ma Rainey.  The film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is about a woman demanding respect from white America if they wanted to profit from her music.

Viola Davis puts in a remarkable performance in this film.  But everyone will remember Chadwick Boseman for his outstanding performance as an outspoken member of Ma’s band.  Boseman died of cancer shortly after completing work on this film.

So, what about the film as a whole?  I provide my take in this review.