Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Gritty biopic has sex, violence, drinking, great music.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Bessie
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In BESSIE, a young woman (Queen Latifah) gifted with an extraordinary voice, a strong will, and a formidable but untested sense of her own worth creates an astonishing career in early 20th-century America. Young Bessie dealt with poverty and fear, growing up motherless in a "holler" outside of Chattanooga, Tennessee. Success doesn't come easy for the young singer. Bessie is confronted by predatory men, a segregated music industry, and her own traumatic memories of an abusive older sister (Khandi Alexander) as she tries to make a career. Sustained by her devoted brother Clarence (Tory Kittles); her closest friend and lover, Lucille (Tika Sumpter); and the mentoring of Ma Rainey (Mo'Nique), Bessie prevails. However, it isn't long before disappointments, a volatile marriage, infidelities, and an escalating dependence on alcohol find Bessie struggling again, this time perhaps tragically. With what few shaky resources she has left, along with family and friends who've never let her down, Bessie begins the long climb back.
Is It Any Good?
Queen Latifah's spellbinding performance as Bessie Smith and sensational music more than compensate for the by-now conventional story of a musical artist's rise and fall. It's challenging to portray a complicated artist's life in a two-hour movie, but writer-director Dee Rees and her team have managed to avoid the pitfalls of such an effort by focusing on the inner life of Ms. Smith. They've chosen powerful moments -- musical performances, key scenes with those Bessie loves and hates, and pivotal racial incidents -- to bring their vision of Bessie Smith to life. Surrounded by solid actors -- Mo'Nique and Michael Kenneth Williams are standouts -- and with scene after scene of demanding self-revelation, Queen Latifah finds every nuance and gives a vibrant, once-in-a-lifetime performance. It's mature material. Sex with partial nudity, alcohol, violence, and strong language make it suited for adults and mature teens only.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the event(s) that finally turned Bessie Smith's life around, as it was depicted in this movie. What were the key losses she endured? What was the significance of the scene in which Bessie looked for a long while in the mirror?
Discuss the racism shown in this movie. How did the scenes of the men attacking the tent show and Bessie's early dealings with white businessmen show different types of racism? What do you think are the effects of such constant instances of bigotry on a specific culture? What prejudices are present today?
Obviously, the dialogue and incidents in this movie aren't all authentic; no one knows exactly what was said or done during Bessie's life. How much license do you think filmmakers should take in attempting to portray an actual person? Were you satisfied that you knew the "essence" of Bessie Smith after viewing this movie?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : September 1, 2015
- Cast : Queen Latifah , Mo'Nique , Michael Kenneth Williams
- Director : Dee Rees
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Queer Movie Director(s) , Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Bisexual Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : HBO Home Video
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Arts ( Music and Sing-Along ) , History
- Run time : 112 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Award : NAACP Image Award - NAACP Image Award Winner
- Last updated : December 4, 2025
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