Dinah Was...

Author(s): Brian
Location: Minneapolis

“Dinah Was”

Directed by Rob Marshall
Adapted Screenplay by David Hare (The Hours)
Art Direction: Paul Ghirardani (Mrs. Henderson Presents, Being Julia)
Costume Design: Julie Weiss (Bobby, Hollywoodland)
Cinematography: Rodrigo Prieto (Babel, Brokeback Mountain, 21 Grams)
Editing: Virginia Katz (Dreamgirls, Kinsey)

Principal Cast:

Dinah Washington: Anika Noni Rose
Alice Williams Jones, Dinah’s mother: S. Epatha Merkerson
Violet Moore, Dinah’s personal assistant: Robin Givens
Bill Rayson, Dinah’s manager: William H. Macy
Walter Bentley, manager of the Sahara: Randy Quaid
Christopher Taylor, one of Dinah’s husbands: Danny Glover

Tagline: “What a difference a day made”

Synopsis: In a white fur coat, Dinah Washington (Anika Noni Rose) “The Queen of the Blues” sits on her luggage in the lobby of The Sahara, a Las Vegas hotel. It is 1959; the legendary star is playing a gig at the hotel that night. However, she is not allowed to stay in the hotel, or even enter without a white escort. She refuses to stay in the trailer that has been provided for her in the hotel’s parking lot. So, in her signature style, Dinah takes a long pull from her flask and starts kicking up a fuss, as the Sahara’s manager (Randy Quaid) and Washington’s personal manager (William H. Macy) attempt to persuade her to stop. While the drama goes on, we see flashbacks to earlier moments in Washinton’s life and career, from which the songs grow. We see Dinah’s confrontations with her critical and very religious mother (S. Epatha Merkerson). We see Dinah’s legendary appetite for men (she had many husbands and boyfriends, including Chrisopher Taylor, played by Danny Glover). We see Dinah’s rocky friendship with her personal assistant, Violet (Robin Givens). We see Dinah’s smart mouth, volatile temper, large ego and fondness for alcohol and pills. We see her struggle with weight gain and loss, reaching her demise from an overdose of diet pills at age 39. All this set against performances of her most legendary songs.

SONG LIST:
“Showtime”
“Baby You’ve Got What It Takes”
“Slick Chick (On the Mellow Side)”
“What a Difference a Day Makes”
“I Wanna Be Loved”
“There Is No Greater Love”
“Long John Blues”
“I Won’t Cry Anymore”
“Come Rain or Come Shine”
“This Bitter Earth”
“Sometimes I’m Happy”
“A Rockin’ Good Way”
“I Don’t Hurt Anymore”

What the press would say:

Anika Noni Rose took her breakout role in Dreamgirls and ran. She shines as jazz and blues legend Dinah Washington in Dinah Was..., a biopic with music, much like the successful Ray and Walk the Line. And much like the leading actors in these two films, Anika Noni Rose appears to be a clear award frontrunner for her haunting portrayal of Dinah Washington. She accurately captures both the acid-tongued, boozy, stubborn personality Washington was famous for, and the less-oft seen quiet, humble and emotional side shown in scenes with her mother and assistant. Rose both gained and lost weight for this role in order to accurately portray Washington’s ongoing struggle with her weight. Her crystal clear voice is perfect for the sound of Ms. Washington.

S. Epatha Merkerson is brilliant as Alice, Dinah’s mother. Although she gets but a few flashback scenes, her presence is left echoing throughout the rest of the film. Merkerson portrays love, jealousy and disappointment with ease. Robin Givens as Violet creates a beautiful love/ hate friendship and working relationship with the difficult Dinah, eventually leaving Dinah alone and without a friend. The men in the supporting cast also shine, particularly William H. Macy as Dinah’s manager, trying to politely and respectfully persuade Dinah away from her stubbornness, and Danny Glover as Dinah’s older lover. We see this is one man that Dinah truly fell in love with, and we see the heartbreak in both Glover and Rose when he leaves her because of her alcoholism.

Rob Marshall’s magnificent and profound direction evokes the style of his Oscar nominated work in “Chicago,” but more mature. He truly understands “show biz” and knows how to put it on screen in the most effective manner. David Hare adapts the screenplay with skill. He takes the flaws of the stage play and reworks them, writing one of the most poignant screenplays of the year. The design, editing, cinematography and costume design are all superb.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION

Best Picture
Best Director: Rob Marshall
Best Actress: Anika Noni Rose
Best Supporting Actress: S. Epatha Merkerson
Best Supporting Actor: William H. Macy
Best Supporting Actor: Danny Glover
Best Adapted Screenplay: David Hare
Best Art Direction: Paul Ghirardani
Best Costume Design: Julie Weiss
And various other technical categories.