This was a messy and unfocused film that over-reached in its scope and ambition resulting in a dreadful and tiresome 130 minutes slog that was only saved by Paolo Nieddu's and Miuccia Prada's gorgeous costumes and vintage - yet modern - gowns, and Andra Day's singing. Day's acting had its moments of sparkle, but she lacked the range and depth to give her Billie Holiday any emotional weight or consistency. The weak screenplay by Suzan-Lori Parks and Lee Daniels' muddled direction definitely did nothing to help Day. Daniels, a gay man, had also unnecessarily peppered the film with a number of gratuitous female nudity (mostly of Day) that served no narrative or dramatic purpose.
This film had no idea what it wanted to be. Did it want to be a musical biopic of a Jazz legend/Black activist or did it want to be a straight-up dramatisation of Holiday's life? Is it about Black activism? Or is it about drug addiction? Or perhaps it was simply just a soap about the romantic entanglements of a famous person? So many facets, but none of them polished. At times it just became so frustrating to watch because Holiday was such a fascinating character and you can feel that Day could have been so much better.
Day was paired with Trevante Rhodes but their emotional ties were only superficially sketched out and lacked any real substance. It packed no punch and also no heat. Their relationship just bore no consequences to the narrative that Daniels was attempting to tell.
Day sizzled more on stage by herself singing than with Rhodes. That being said, Day attempts at being dramatic also felt shallow. The role/character does asks a lot from the actress, but Day - in her feature film debut - lacked the experience or nuance to really plunge into the depths. Her portrayal often seemed amateurish to the point of acting school caliber. However, granted she did have moments of sparkling brilliance that alluded to a potential unmined. It is just a pity that Daniels and this film did her no justice.
Oh, and what a waste of Natasha Lyonne. Even Garrett Hedlund deserved better.
Truly, the saving grace were the Prada gowns and Day's powerhouse vocals. Combined them both together and those moments were electrifying. They were the moments worth waiting for but it was a pity that the second half had less of them.
Day might sneak in a Best Actress (that fifth slot - other than Viola, Frances, Carey and Vanessa - would be a toss up between Day, Amy Adams, Rosamund Pike or Sidney Flanigan, my hope is for Flanigan!) or even a Best Original Song nomination, but the film will likely be shut out from all the other categories.
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