JOLI COEUR - DEZA THE GREAT SHINE ROSEMAN, ESE ERIATA

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JOLI COEUR - DEZA THE GREAT SHINE ROSEMAN, ESE ERIATA

Incredible cast but that's it. It was a play and this just seems like they didn't do much to change it. If you expecting the story of Ma Rainey you won't get it - more just a snap shot of one incident. The sound and voice when viola lip synced was not great and just didn't match. Maybe I had too high expectations because of the cast and director. There were so good moments and it's a snap shot of time and history that ultimately hasn't really moved on a lot. But this as a film - meh

This August Wilson adaptation is set in Chicago in 1927, and follows a blues singer, Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) who is recording music in Chicago at the time. The film focuses on the dynamics between her, a white manager, and several people that work with her during the recording session, such as a horn player (Chadwick Boseman.) The film's performances are excellent. Viola Davis shows a strong range of emotion and wit, and Chadwick Boseman's charisma and command of his role are superb. It is an almost incomprehensible tragedy that Boseman passed away suddenly this year, and this is (sadly) his final performance. Wilson's dialogue is handled very well in the film; while the film generally feels like a play, it is fully engaging and properly paced. The dialogue is able to appropriately develop the characters, while also honestly coming to terms with the racial tensions and systemic discrimination that sadly plagued society during this period in time. The film also has terrific aesthetic values of the time period, from production design to costumes to cinematography. These aesthetics are not negatively impacted at all by the fact that the film largely takes place in a handful of mostly confined spaces. While a relatively brief film in duration (94 minutes,) the film never feels too brief or unsatisfying. The pacing is deft yet thorough, appropriately contextualizing its characters and the situations they find themselves in--all while tying in to the blues music and the impact it has on the characters. Its conclusion is powerful and stirring, and appropriately feels like a fitting end to the narrative. The only major criticism I have of the film is that much of the film is relatively light on substantive plot, which does not always make the story as impactful as it could be. Even though the dialogue between characters is outstanding, some of the narrative could have used more "meat and potatoes" plot points to further evolve the course of the story. Otherwise, this is a powerful film that is well worth seeing. 7.5/10

I had never heard of Ma Rainey until I watched this movie. After watching I read some articles about the movie and Ma. Though I still know little about her it is my opinion that this movie does a great disservice to her. Ma was known as the Mother of Blues. She was one of the first recorded blues singers and sang with the likes of Louis Armstrong. None of this is included in the movie. No mention what so ever. The movie in fact is based on a play and the movie is pure fiction based on a real woman. I would have much preferred seeing a movie based more on the facts concerning Ma Rainey.

For an hour and a half long movie the first half hour was just lame dialogs. First the 4 musicians talk about shoes, having fun etc. Any sane director would have cut that out but I guess if the rest of the material has no more substance there's not much the director can do. Then there's a minor fender bender before Ma finally shows up. You wonder why this is important in a biopic. There's more lame dialog than music in this. One must wonder what the point of the movie was. It tries to be funny but ends up being plain stupid. As a Ma Rainey fan I am outraged. I was excited to see Chad Boseman in his last role but his character is just annoying and has no depth through no fault of his own. I doubt Ma Rainey was that awful in person to everybody. She was not a superstar and could she really torture people like that in 1927 including a police officer? Her character seems way exaggerated. My verdict is this movie is annoying and boring. There's actually very little music in it. I couldn't even finish it. I could only take half of it. I think actors should stop trying to write screenplays.

This did not even feel like a play that was adapted for film. It really was just a play that was filmed. The high accolades that most viewers give is due to their love for Viola and Chadwick (which I share), but even their performances could not save the movie. Endless dialogue to drive the story (no real story here) forward. I was really, really looking forward to this, but it was sadly extremely disappointing.

Some guys arguing in a basement. And it goes on and on and on till you hit the forward button. It is more like a really boring 'educational' theaterplay aimed at 'white people'. Why not just make a movie? The scenes wirh Ma Rainey are quite wonderful, filled with tension and power. But those scenes are also too occupied with being a lament of afroamerican experience in the past. Actually the first scene of the movie made me look forward to seeing it. Ma Rainey in a steaming hot rural party tent. People waiting in long lines in the dark southern night to get in. That is 'movie'! Not the forlorn and uninteresting bickering between the band members. Don't tell it. Show it!

This film is full of good performances. Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis shine in this movie. Chadwick was incredible. I am very happy to see him one more time, and what a performance he gives. The story felt a bit short. The story is not that special but I'll say it again, the performances are so good. That's why I give this film a 7. Thank you Chadwick Boseman, R.I.P.