The true story of 1940's blues singer Billie Holiday, and how she was repeatedly targeted by federal agents who resented her success.
BIOPIC/DRAMA
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The United States
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The more films I watch about the Civil Rights Movement or prominent black historical figures, the more I see through the star-spangled bullshit of our so-called great nation. The American government has done more harm to the people of this country than anyone else, particularly to the black community. Billie Holiday, her constant harassment, and attempted frame-ups is just one of many stories of how the feds brought down anyone who dared inspire change or speak out against the status quo. It's disgusting, and it's still happening. This film does a phenomenal job of detailing Holiday's problems with substance abuse and how the feds exploited it to ruin her career.
Andra Day absolutely knocks it out of the park as Billie Holiday, delivering a top notch performance of a soulful, powerful woman who refused to be defeated. Her emotional and traumatic song "Strange Fruit" caused an uproar in Washington, because the song was pointing out that black people were being lynched and killed in the south, and nobody was doing anything to stop it. Holiday's song woke people up, and that was something the feds could not allow. The supporting cast is great too, but Day especially shines. The film is also bookended by two similar acts of Congress that sought to come down hard on lynching. One in 1937, and another just last year in 2020. Guess what? Both didn't pass. Nothing really changes, not systematically. I'm surprised this film isn't getting more positive reviews. People are calling it "blatant Oscar bait" or "overlong and boring." I don't think that's fair. Biopics are mostly formulaic, sure, but that doesn't mean this film has nothing to say. This film is enlightening to those who don't know much about Billie Holiday, but it's also a touching love story and a vicious political thriller at times. And at it's core, it's another movie that highlights the constant, seemingly never-ending fight against racism in America. Some people may be tired of these films. Just this year, we've already had three (One Night in Miami, Judas and the Black Messiah, and this film). I'm not one of those people. These films are significant and important, because they get people talking about real issues, at the very least. Keep telling these stories. |