Fresh
Best of all are Latifah's scenes with Mo'Nique because their energies fit and because they have the most to do with music and performance and the reasons these women are worth remembering, and re-creating.
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times
Overview
The story of legendary blues performer, Bessie Smith, who rose to fame during the 1920s and '30s.
Director and cast
- Dee Rees Director
- Queen Latifah as Bessie Smith
- Mo'Nique as Ma Rainey
- Mike Epps as Richard
- Tika Sumpter as Lucille
- Michael Kenneth Williams as Jack Gee
- Charles S. Dutton as William 'Pa' Rainey
- Bryan Greenberg as John Hammond
- Oliver Platt as Carl Van Vechten
- Khandi Alexander as Viola
- Tory Kittles as Clarence
Critics on Rotten Tomatoes
Top critics, in their words
89%
Tomatometer
Fresh
At nearly two hours, Bessie feels a lot like any other TV biopic, with unspectacular production values and a mostly chronological story structure. But it's hard not to be moved by the woman it portrays, and by the point of view it shares with her.
Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic
Fresh
Latifah doesn't just make us believe in Bessie Smith's claim to fame. She makes us feel for every gifted African-American singer and actor, from Smith to Latifah herself, who hasn't been given the roles and nurturing his or her talents deserve.
Robert Bianco, USA Today
Fresh
In a cast full of strong performances, Queen Latifah stuns. Quite simply, it's the finest performance she's ever given.
Alex McCown, AV Club
Fresh
Viewers of Bessie will love her and want to shake her, to beg her not to squander her talent.
Gail Pennington, St. Louis Post-Dispatch
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