The United States vs. Billie Holiday Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

The government hates a song so much, they sic a hot FBI agent on a jazz singer, but then they fall in love, mostly because jazz.

🍿 The United States vs. Billie Holiday: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Targeted by the Federal Government

The film chronicles Billie Holiday’s rise to fame and the relentless targeting she faced from the Federal Department of Narcotics. Fueled by her performance of “Strange Fruit,” a powerful protest song against racism and lynching, the government, led by Harry Anslinger, sees her as a threat to social order.

Undercover Operation and Tumultuous Affair

As part of the government’s strategy, Black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher is assigned to lead an undercover sting operation against Holiday. Their involvement soon evolves into a complex and tumultuous affair. This relationship is marked by both genuine connection and the inherent conflict of their opposing roles.

Struggles with Addiction and Persecution

Throughout the film, Holiday grapples with addiction, which is exacerbated by the constant pressure and harassment from the authorities. The film depicts her struggle to maintain her career and personal life amid this relentless persecution. The government uses her addiction as a means to further discredit and silence her.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Billie Holiday (Andra Day): A talented jazz singer who is targeted by the Federal Department of Narcotics due to her controversial song, ‘Strange Fruit.’
• Jimmy Fletcher (Trevante Rhodes): A black Federal Agent who leads the undercover sting operation against Billie Holiday and becomes romantically involved with her.
• Harry Anslinger (Garrett Hedlund): The head of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, who spearheads the campaign to silence Billie Holiday.
• Tallulah Bankhead (Natasha Lyonne): A famous actress who forms a close bond with Billie Holiday and may have a romantic connection.
• Joe Glaser (Dusan Dukic): Billie Holiday’s manager, who tries to navigate her career amidst the government’s persecution and her personal struggles.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Billie Holiday: “You know, the people that are hardest on me are my own race. I need help; not jail time.” – Billie expresses her frustration with the lack of support she receives, highlighting the complexities of her situation.
• Harry Anslinger: “She’s inciting violence. That song is a danger to everything we represent.” – Anslinger reveals the government’s real motive for targeting Billie Holiday because of the social impact of “Strange Fruit”.
• Billie Holiday: “I sing what I feel.” – Billie Holiday defends her right to sing about the social and political issues that are important to her.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $19 million
• Domestic Gross: $375,758
• Worldwide Gross: $1.3 million

💥 The United States vs. Billie Holiday Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie, especially after hearing so much about Andra Day’s performance. She was phenomenal! Truly captured Billie Holiday’s essence. But the movie itself felt uneven, like it couldn’t decide what story it wanted to tell. Some scenes were powerful, especially when she sang ‘Strange Fruit,’ but others felt rushed or unnecessary. I walked away feeling impressed by Day but ultimately disappointed by the film as a whole.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Billie Holiday”
  • “Viewers interested in historical dramas about the Civil Rights era”
  • “Those who appreciate strong female leads”
  • “Viewers interested in music-related biopics”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Drug use”
  • “Violence”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Racism”

Professional Reviews

• IMDB: “Andra Day shines in a challenging role, capturing Holiday’s voice and presence. However, the film suffers from a muddled narrative, historical inaccuracies, and a tendency to overemphasize Holiday’s struggles while downplaying her artistry. The film’s attempts at social commentary feel simplistic and heavy-handed.
• IMDB: “While Andra Day’s performance is undeniably powerful, the film itself is a mess. The script is weak, the direction is haphazard, and the editing feels disjointed. Key aspects of Billie Holiday’s life and character are glossed over in favor of sensationalizing her struggles.
• IMDB: “The film’s greatest strength is Andra Day’s committed and transformative performance as Billie Holiday. She embodies the singer’s spirit and delivers the songs with authenticity. However, the narrative often feels disjointed and struggles to find a consistent focus.

Audience Reactions

Andra Day’s transformative performance is universally praised as a highlight.: Viewers commend Andra Day’s acting and singing, while expressing mixed feelings on the film’s narrative and historical accuracy.

Overall Consensus: Andra Day’s performance is widely celebrated, but the movie receives mixed reviews due to narrative issues and historical inaccuracies.

Awards

1. Golden Globe Award (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)- 2021

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Andra Day received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Billie Holiday, marking her first major acting role.”
• “The film explores the U.S. government’s targeting of Billie Holiday due to her performance of ‘Strange Fruit,’ a powerful protest song against racial injustice.”
• “Director Lee Daniels chose to film Andra Day singing live during the performance scenes to capture the raw emotion and authenticity of Billie Holiday’s performances.”

🖥️ How to Watch The United States vs. Billie Holiday?

The United States vs. Billie Holiday is available to stream on Hulu. You can also rent or purchase the movie on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The United States vs. Billie Holiday, you might like these similar films:

• Lady Sings the Blues (1972): A previous biopic about Billie Holiday, offering a different perspective on her life and music.
• Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (2020): Explores the struggles and experiences of Black musicians in the early 20th century, dealing with racism and exploitation.
• Malcolm X (1992): A biographical drama focusing on an important black figure in American history and the racial tensions of the time.
• Judas and the Black Messiah (2021): Similar themes of government surveillance and the suppression of Black voices during the Civil Rights era.

🛒 The United States vs. Billie Holiday Related Products

• The Complete Billie Holiday on Verve 1945-1959: This comprehensive collection includes all of Billie Holiday’s recordings on the Verve label, spanning her most iconic years. It’s a perfect way to experience Lady Day’s unparalleled artistry and musical genius.
• Billie Holiday: The Definitive Biography: A definitive biography of Billie Holiday by John Chilton. Dive into the life and times of Lady Day with anecdotes, personal interviews, and rare insights into her struggles, triumphs, and enduring legacy.
• Billie Holiday ‘Strange Fruit’ Poster: A high-quality print of the iconic ‘Strange Fruit’ artwork, symbolizing Billie Holiday’s courage and the song’s historical significance. A visual statement piece for any music or history enthusiast.
• Funko Pop! Rocks: Billie Holiday: A collectible Funko Pop! figure of Billie Holiday, capturing her iconic look and style. Perfect for displaying on shelves or desks as a tribute to the jazz legend.

🎧 Soundtrack

The United States vs. Billie Holiday features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Strange Fruit” – performed by Billie Holiday (performed by Andra Day)
• “All of Me” – performed by Billie Holiday (performed by Andra Day)
• “The Man That Got Away” – performed by Billie Holiday (performed by Andra Day)

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Billie Holiday vs The US Government – US History – Extra History

Want to know the real story behind Billie Holiday’s struggles with the US government? This video breaks down the historical context in a super engaging way – it’s honestly mind-blowing to see what she went through!

Top 10 Things The United States Vs. Billie Holiday Got Factually Right & Wrong

Ever wonder how accurate ‘The United States vs. Billie Holiday’ really is? This video breaks down what’s fact and what’s fiction – some of the things they changed are pretty surprising!

Revealing the unknown Billie Holiday

Get a peek behind the curtain with Andra Day and the director of the movie! They share some really personal thoughts on Billie Holiday and the challenges of bringing her story to life – definitely worth a watch.

Andra Day Covering Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit” | The Daily Show

Check out Andra Day absolutely killing it with a performance of ‘Strange Fruit’! Seeing her sing this iconic song really makes you appreciate her portrayal of Billie Holiday even more.

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