Bessie shows us an assortment of moments from that life but doesn't really make us feel it, despite Queen Latifah's best efforts. Full Review

Rating: B- -- Queen Latifah is convincing as Bessie. Full Review

[Bessie] is a story we've seen before, complete with feathers, spangles, and bootleg liquor as the action meanders through the 1920s, but a script about a queer Black woman (Smith was bisexual) by an out queer Black woman who also directed is unusual. Full Review

... give Bessie a try ... to see Queen Latifah's performance and learn a bit about Bessie Smith's life and times, and turn in off if and when it starts to drag. Full Review

The story is so intent on covering the title character's life almost in its entirety that character motivations suffer. Full Review

Rating: B- -- It fleshes out Bessie Smith to a degree but certainly not in full measure. Latifah and Rainey can sure sing out, though. It's a pleasure to watch and hear them wail in a film that otherwise doesn't quite cut it. Full Review

Bessie boasts powerful performances and a chance to hear the early blues popularized by Smith and her mentor, Ma Rainey. Full Review