Chadwick Boseman and Viola Davis Are Oscar-Worthy in ‘Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'

Here come the first reactions to Netflix’s upcoming awards season contender “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and, yeah, it sure looks like not only do we have a Best Picture juggernaut, but Oscar-worthy performances from Viola Davis and, most intriguingly, the late Chadwick Boseman.

Davis already has three Oscar nominations, including a win for 2017’s “Fences,” but it’s Boseman’s shattering performance that will drive buzz for this movie, which, at times, cannot transcend the staginess of its theatrical origins. The late actor’s best moments here are two highly-charged monologues that are delivered in passionately devastating ways. Much like what Denzel Washington did with Wilson’s words in “Fences,” Boseman gives us a fierce and fully-formed performance. — he could very well become only the third actor, after Peter Finch (Network), and Heath Ledger (“The Dark Knight”), to win a posthumous acting Oscar.

Director Wolfe’s film is about a young trumpet player (Boseman) who tries to revolutionize the blues music of singer extraordinaire Ma Rainey (Davis). And yet, should he be trusted? Is he in it for his own gain of fame? Those are the questions being asked in ‘Ma Rainey’. Director George C. Wolfe’s adaptation of August Wilson’s play was screened for critics on Saturday and is set to launch on Netflix, December 18. Check out a roundup of the first reactions from Twitter below:

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“August Wilson rookie George C. Wolfe’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom will clean up at the Oscars. It’s timely in the way it shows how anger can simmer and explode. Actors will love Viola Davis as the blues singer and Chadwick Boseman as her trumpeter: he could win a posthumous Oscar.” — Anne Thompson (@akstanwyck) 

“MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM is a dynamic adaptation of August Wilson’s play with vibrant cinematography, music & costumes. Chadwick Boseman’s swan-song is his best with two stunning monologues that rank among some of the best ever. Viola Davis dominates the screen & all in her path.” — Matt Neglia (@NextBestPicture)

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is a scorcher. Chadwick Boseman is a class act and his delivery of August Wilson’s monologues are impeccable. I miss him. Viola Davis is magnificent, commanding the screen with every word. I’m in awe of Tobias Schliessler’s cinematography.” — Jazz Tangcay (@jazzt)

“‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ gives us an outstanding turn from Viola Davis but it’s Chadwick Boseman that leaves it all out on floor in a stellar, Sidney Poitier-level, Oscar-worthy performance. Colman Domingo gives excellent support and Branford Marsalis’s score is aces.”— Erik Anderson (@awards_watch)

“Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom is the best work on film in Chadwick Boseman’s too-brief career. It is also the best piece of writing he had to work with. The film doesn’t escape its theatrical organization origins, but might be the most fully realized film in Netflix’s award arsenal.” — David Poland (@DavidPoland) 

“MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM has Chadwick Boseman unload every ounce of himself on screen. Everything he could/would offer cinema is entrenched in his Levee. Viola Davis is magnificent (smaller role than expected). Adore Glynn Turman & want #Oscars to know it too.”— Clayton Davis (@AwardsCircuit) 

Welcome to the awards race, Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman, stars of Netflix’s Denzel Washington-produced MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM! — Scott Feinberg (@ScottFeinberg) 

Thought Viola Davis was excellent in MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM. A commanding performance with plenty of subtext that serves as the truthful core of the succinct story. She is always great, and this movie adds to her outstanding filmography.  — Carlos Aguilar (@Carlos_Film) 

Viola Davis gives a performance in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” that should win a Tony, an Emmy, and an Oscar. Hell, I’d throw in a Grammy too. An indelible Wilson performance — as good as her Tony-winning work in “Fences.” An incarnation of the blues in acting. 1/3 — Charles McNulty (@CharlesMcNulty)