Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis Sing Into the Oscar Race with ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’
One of the most anticipated films of this awards season, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” emerges as one of the premier Oscar vehicles for Netflix. At its soulful core, the farewell performance of the late Chadwick Boseman is as invigorating as anticipated. His work as Levee may very well be his best and most spiritual gift to cinema. Boseman has a real opportunity to join a short list that includes Peter Finch and Heath Ledger, two posthumous Oscar nominees who won their respective categories.Based on the August Wilson play, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” tells the story of the tension that builds between Ma Rainey, nicknamed the “Mother of Blues” (played by Viola Davis), her ambitious horn player Levee, and the white management determined to control her music in 1927 Chicago.After it was reported that Boseman would be submitted in lead actor by Netflix, one of the questions bubbling has been, ...