Queen Latifah
Michael Kenneth Williams
Khandi Alexander
Mo’Nique

Dee Rees
Christopher Cleveland
Bettina Gilois

TV Movie
112 mins.
Biography, Drama, Music
May 16, 2015

TV-MA

“Bessie,” an HBO Film that chronicles the life of iconic blues singer Bessie Smith, has the right look but the wrong execution. It reminds me of the beginning parts of both “Ray” (they both use the ever ubiquitous flashback structure) and “Malcolm X,” and of the Eddie Murphy/Martin Lawrence vehicle, “Life.” And like one of the trains it features, the events zip by. But if you stop to think about it, this is merely a collection of scenes rather than a cohesive statement. Director and co-writer Dee Rees (“Pariah”) has crafted a film with a lot of bark yet very little bite. Toward its end, when things turn serious, the moments are fine and all, but they don’t fully land.

The actors, led by Queen Latifah in the title role, do what they can. But the by-the-numbers script lacks sufficient depth, and, at times, the delivery can be clumsy, as a result. Things just happen too easily, so there’s no room to nurture great performances. It’s just too thin, especially with source material this rich and bold. Much more could have been demanded of the cast, which, in addition to Latifah, includes Mo’Nique, Charles S. Dutton, and Khandie Alexander. With the right material, they could have soared.

Everything looks nice, but nice doesn’t cut it. The music works fairly well, though. And it has some good moments: when Bessie says that Michael Kenneth Williams’ Jack Gee is “still auditionin'”; a scene late in the film when Mo’Nique’s Ma Rainey reads an article in Vanity Fair (“Cracker Hell”); a few quiet scenes between Bessie and one of her lovers played by Mike Epps; and whenever Alexander has something to say. Actually, the combination of Latifah and Alexander is the best part of the film. That relationship could have made a rather interesting film all on its own. Regardless, this isn’t a knockout, not even close, and it could have been.

Verdict: OK

About: (Source: bessie)

Queen Latifah stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in this HBO Films presentation, directed by Dee Rees from a screenplay by Dee Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Dee Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith’s transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” who became one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and is an enduring icon today. BESSIE also stars Michael Kenneth Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, with Charles S. Dutton and Mo’Nique. Executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Richard D. Zanuck, Shelby Stone, and Randi Michel. Ron Schmidt produces.