JASON EVANS' 100-WORD REVIEWS: The United States vs. Billie Holliday

A brilliant acting performance saves this messy movie


NOTE - In the interest of disclosure it should be note that Film critic Jason Evans has a family connection to the singer/actress Andra Day. Nonetheless, his review here reflects his honest feelings about the film. 

The poet Carl Sandburg once wrote: “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent.” Film Critic Jason Evans writes movie reviews that don’t cost much of your previous time coins. They are short, to the point, and always contain exactly 100 words. Here is his 100-Word Review of The US vs. Billie Holliday.

The Premise: Directed by Lee Daniels (Precious, The Butler, Empire), this film tells the story of singer Billie Holliday (newcomer Andra Day), one of the top musical acts of the 1940s and 50s and a civil rights icon. Holiday spent her career trying to stay one step ahead of government agents who wanted her to stop singing “Strange Fruit,” a haunting description of black people being lynched in the South. The campaign against Holiday included getting her hooked on drugs and planting evidence on her. The film also depicts Holidays many troubled and violent relationships with the men in her life, including a FBI agent (Trevante Rhodes) who can’t decide if he wants to arrest her or love her.

The 100 Words: The reason to watch this film is Day’s courageous performance. It is remarkable that a singer could make this jump to the big screen so seamlessly. Of course she has the voice, but she shows herself to be a wonderful actor too. The camera is fixated on her in almost every moment and she is magnetic. Day helps the film rise above some questionable directorial choices by Daniels and a script that meanders. There are also some strong supporting performances, especially Da'Vine Joy Randolph’s makeup artist. But my bottom line is, sign me up for whatever Andra Day does next.

Reach out to Jason Evans on Twitter @JasonDukeEvans

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