Oscars 2021: Ranking The Nominated Performances From Worst To Best
10. Viola Davis - Ma Rainey's Black Bottom
A fantastic Viola Davis gives one of her most transformative turns as the Mother of the Blues Ma Rainey. Unfortunately, Davis should have campaigned in supporting rather than lead because despite her name being in the title of the film, Ma Rainey plays second fiddle to Chadwick Boseman's Levee.
Davis could have run away with the best Supporting Actress category and scored her second win without having to worry about the overly competitive field in Best Actress. Although, with an upset victory at the SAG awards, Davis may actually manage to beat her co-nominees that have twice her screen time in their respective films. Either way, Davis has still made history as the most nominated black actress at the Oscars.
Davis is still outstanding here, the makeup department help her to embody Ma Rainey and she does so fearlessly. The film lacks much of an arc for her character, sometimes relegating Davis to just sparring with Boseman and those playing her white management but, she still manages to be captivating and enthralling with every moment she's gracing the screen.