Yep, you’re getting another biopic with The United States vs. Billie Holiday, the latest from director Lee Daniels.
The advantage here is that Holiday’s life hasn’t been extensively picked over in film. The famous singer of the ’30s and ’40s could fill several movies, so this seems to be focusing on her years being targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics. This attention, I’m sure, had nothing to do with being a successful Black woman singing political songs like Strange Fruit. No, the government just happened to funnel an extensive amount of money and manpower towards a single person struggling with addiction.
The biopic is familiar territory for Daniels after The Butler, which is oddly his last film since 2013. He’s done some TV work since, but the break from the big screen seems unearned given the success of that film and Precious. Sure, The Paperboy was a flop, but everybody should get to take some wild swings like that one.
This movie appears to be a turn towards the traditional, but a chance was taken on its lead. Grammy nominee Andra Day marks her first significant acting role as the titular Holiday, and while it’s expected the singer-turned-actress will nail the performer side of Holiday, we’ll have to see how she does with the rest of the role. Co-starring with her is Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, and Natasha Lyonne.
Nothing about this film seems to be pushing the bounds too much, so I expect this to be a solid biopic on a fascinating subject.
The United States vs. Billie Holiday is directed by Lee Daniels and stars Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, and Natasha Lyonne. It will be released in the US on Hulu on February 26th, 2021 and theatrically in the UK on March 12th, 2021. For international release dates, click here.
Will you check this one out? Let us know in the comments!
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