3/2/21 - The United States vs. Billie Holliday (2020) - 5/10
(NOTES MIA) A decent historical examination, but I found the film a bit flat. The story just lacked coherence and was all over the place. Didn’t focus much on her being attacked by the US or even properly highlighting the drugs, which are such an integral part of the tale they are trying to tell. Why not show scenes from the streets or the drugs in the community? Why not show how she was a highlighting scapegoat for the government? Just a little out of balance and she plays a conflicted figure but doesn't truly delve into that as they should. Really just highlighted by musical performances, which are strong and plentiful. She did that quite well, and brought the dramatic chops to be the distinct highlight of the film, but didn’t have much more than her performance.
