Bessie (2015) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

Bessie Smith overcomes barriers, personal upheaval, and loss before returning to the stage.

Story Structure — 4 Plot Phases

A Voice Seeking Its Stage

After an unhappy childhood, Bessie works around vaudeville shows but faces barriers to being featured. She appeals to Ma Rainey, receives mentorship, and eventually leaves to establish her own show.

Key Events

• Bessie's Orphaned Childhood — After her parents die, young Bessie grows up under Viola's care. Characters: Young Bessie Location: Chattanooga
• Abuse Under Viola — Bessie's childhood is unhappy under her abusive older sister. Characters: Young Bessie Location: Chattanooga
• Local Vaudeville Work — Bessie works around local shows while trying to pursue the stage. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Local vaudeville shows
• Blocked Stage Ambitions — Producers refuse to feature dark-skinned Black women in their shows. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Vaudeville circuit
• Train Compartment Appeal — Bessie sneaks aboard and asks Ma Rainey to join her show. Characters: Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey Location: Ma Rainey's train compartment
• Ma Rainey Takes Bessie In — Ma Rainey takes Bessie under her wing and helps develop her abilities. Characters: Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey Location: Traveling show
• Rising Popularity — Bessie's growing popularity creates a schism with Ma Rainey. Characters: Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey Location: Traveling show
• Bessie Starts Her Show — Bessie leaves with Clarence to start her own show. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Traveling performance circuit

Fame and Family Strain

Bessie experiences romantic and professional changes as Jack becomes her husband and manager. A Columbia deal brings success, but racial attacks and growing tensions at home complicate her life.

Key Events

• Relationship with Lucille — Bessie begins a relationship with her lover Lucille. Characters: Bessie Smith, Lucille Location: Unspecified
• Jack Becomes Manager — Bessie begins a tumultuous relationship with Jack, who becomes her husband and manager. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Unspecified
• Black Swan Rejection — Bessie suffers a humiliating rejection from the newly formed record company. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Black Swan Records
• Columbia Recording Deal — Jack secures Bessie a record deal with Columbia Records. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Columbia Records
• Success and Racial Attacks — Bessie achieves success while facing a stabbing attack and racist abuse. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Performance venues
• Klan Driven Away — Bessie courageously chases off attackers from the Ku Klux Klan. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Bessie's show
• Viola Reconciliation — Bessie reconciles with Viola and moves her and her siblings into a mansion. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Unspecified

A Marriage Comes Apart

Conflict over Jack's support of another performer contributes to a violent quarrel and separation. Jack takes Jack Jr., while Bessie's financial losses and personal grief deepen her depression.

Key Events

• Viola Reconciliation — Bessie reconciles with Viola and moves her and her siblings into a mansion. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Unspecified
• Adopting Jack Jr. — Bessie adopts a boy and names him Jack Jr., increasing tension with Jack. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Mansion
• Jack's Affair Dispute — Bessie discovers Jack is funding performer Gertrude Saunders and quarrels violently with him. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Unspecified
• Jack Takes Jack Jr. — Jack returns with Viola's help, takes Jack Jr., and says Bessie is an unfit mother. Characters: Bessie Smith, Jack Gee Location: Unspecified
• Depression and Retreat — After her fortune evaporates, Bessie and Clarence move into a small apartment; Bessie sinks into depression and alcohol. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Small apartment

Recovery and Return

Bessie reconciles with Ma Rainey and begins a relationship with Richard. She returns to performing, meets John Hammond, and achieves a successful comeback.

Key Events

• Reconciliation with Ma — Bessie reconciles with Ma Rainey and takes time to recuperate. Characters: Bessie Smith, Ma Rainey Location: Unspecified
• Richard Becomes Her Partner — Bessie accepts Richard's love and the two begin a relationship. Characters: Bessie Smith, Richard Location: Unspecified
• Return to Performing — After hearing Lucille Bogan's song, Bessie decides to perform again. Characters: Bessie Smith Location: Performance venue
• Hammond Plans Comeback — John Hammond meets Bessie and wants to produce her comeback tour. Characters: Bessie Smith, John Hammond Location: Unspecified
• Successful Comeback — Bessie's comeback succeeds, and she reflects on her life and future with Richard. Characters: Bessie Smith, Richard Location: Comeback tour

Story Breakdown

• Difficult Childhood — Bessie's early life is marked by loss and hardship.
  • Orphaned Young — Her parents die, leaving her and her siblings without them.
  • Viola's Abuse — Her older sister raises her in an unhappy household.
• Seeking the Stage — Bessie works toward a performing career despite discriminatory barriers.
  • Vaudeville Work — She scrapes by working for local shows.
  • Blocked Ambitions — Producers refuse to feature dark-skinned Black women.
• Ma Rainey Mentorship — Bessie finds a mentor, then separates from her as her own popularity grows.
  • Train Appeal — Bessie asks to join Ma Rainey's show.
  • Growing Schism — Bessie's popularity strains their relationship before she leaves to start her own show.
• Career and Marriage — Bessie's success grows alongside romantic and professional complications.
  • Columbia Deal — Jack helps Bessie secure a recording deal after a rejection.
  • Racial Attacks — She faces violence and racism while achieving success.
• Family Conflict — Domestic tensions and separation bring Bessie profound personal losses.
  • Adopting Jack Jr. — Bessie adopts a boy, adding strain to her relationship with Jack.
  • Jack Takes Their Son — After their violent quarrel, Jack takes Jack Jr. with Viola's help.
• Recovery and Comeback — Bessie rebuilds her life and returns to performing.
  • Reconciliation — She reconciles with Ma Rainey and accepts Richard's love.
  • Successful Return — John Hammond offers to produce a comeback tour, which succeeds.

Directed by

Dee Rees

Key Cast

• Queen Latifah — Bessie Smith
• Kamryn Johnson — Young Bessie
• Rikki McKinney — Chorus Guy
• Alan T. Coleman — Stagehand
• Tory Kittles — Clarence