august wilson – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

THE PIANO LESSON – Review by Diane Carson

November 8, 2024 Diane Carson august wilson, Corey Hawkins, Danielle Deadwyler, denzel washington, John David Washington, Malcolm Washington, Michael Potts, netflix, Ray Fisher, samuel l. jackson, The Piano Lesson

Director Malcolm Washington’s adaptation of August Wilson’s The Piano Lesson infuses humor as an uplifting complement to the incisive and insightful commentary on racism, family ties, spirituality, and profound but endangered friendships. Set during the Great Migration, centered on the revered, inherited piano, the family’s and friends’ reactions differ. Boy Willie wants to sell it for, to him, a noble purpose: the dream of owning his own land as a free man. His sister, young widow Berniece, cannot fathom such disrespect for the spirits embodied in and carved into this venerated piano. Events and subplots punctuate their conflict: a potential romance, drinking and playing cards, a visit to a lively bar, and, most significantly, the presence of a credibly malevolent ghost that haunts their history.

Reviews

ON BROADWAY – Review by Martha K Baker

August 10, 2021August 12, 2021 Martha K. Baker (Archived Contributor) Athol Fugard, august wilson, Broadway, documentaries, helen mirren, Oren Jacoby, Stephen Sondheim, Tony Kushner, Wendy Wasserstein

Director Oren Jacoby brings The Great White Way to the Silver Screen, and it’s a glorious trek. He made this commendable documentary in 2019, but the vicissitudes of a pandemic closed movie houses. So this recent history of Broadway is just now appearing, but it’s well worth the wait.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Susan Granger

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 Susan Granger august wilson, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, viola davis'chadwick boseman

George Wolfe’s well-timed production is a lavish adaptation of August Wilson’s thinly-plotted 1984 play that vividly depicts how dismissively Black musicians were treated back then and how some “existed in defiance of their time.” Known as the “Mother of the Blues,” hip-swaying, sweat-slicked Ma Rainey (Viola Davis) bristles when her opportunistic manager and record producer don’t show the diva proper respect.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Martha K Baker

December 18, 2020December 20, 2020 Martha K. Baker (Archived Contributor) august wilson, chadwick boseman, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, oscars, viola davis

Ma Rainey, the Mother of the Blues, stands in the spotlight serenading the Black Bottom, a Twenties’ dance. But August Wilson put her there, and this film version of his play pays homage to him as much as it does to her. A third honor in this fine film goes to Chadwick Boseman in his last remarkable role.

Reviews

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM – Review by Susan Wloszczyna

December 12, 2020December 13, 2020 Susan Wloszczyna august wilson, chadwick boseman, george c wolfe, ma rainey's black bottom, netflix, oscars, viola davis

Viola Davis more than deserves her first lead actress Oscar nomination for her knock-out performance. But it is Chadwick Bosman’s nervy and brave performance that will linger on your mind. It’s nearly assured his legacy will be honored with a posthumous lead actor spot on ballot. Bless the makers of this showbiz tale for such a spectacular showcase of this actor’s artistry and talent.