The United States vs. Billie Holiday | Rotten Tomatoes

The United States vs. Billie Holiday

R

2021

2h 10m

History

Drama

Biography

Music

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The United States vs. Billie Holiday: Trailer 1

2:46

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55%

Tomatometer

188 Reviews

79%

Audience Score

500+ Ratings

The legendary Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, spent much of her career being adored by fans across the globe, all while the Federal Department of Narcotics targeted her with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair. Inspired by her life story, THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY intimately examines her struggles with addiction, fame and heartbreaking love.

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Critics Consensus

Although The United States vs. Billie Holiday often falls shy of its subject's transcendence, Andra Day's performance offers brilliant compensation.

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Audience Says

Even if it doesn't quite do its real-life story justice, The United States vs. Billie Holiday is a stunning showcase for Andra Day's incredible talent.

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Wenlei Ma

News.com.au

Andra Day outclasses and saves an otherwise humdrum movie.

Rated: 3/5

Jun 5, 2021

Full Review

Roxana Hadadi

Polygon

Andra Day is spellbindingly good as the jazz legend whose anti-racist song "Strange Fruit" made her an enemy of the racist U.S. government, but the film built around her isn't worthy.

May 2, 2021

Full Review

David Stratton

The Australian

Day is simply dazzling in the role, and more than makes up for some of the film's other shortcomings, which include the rather ponderous direction.

Rated: 4/5

Apr 23, 2021

Full Review

Manuel São Bento

MSB Reviews

Lee Daniels' inconsistent direction and Suzan-Lori Parks' extremely messy screenplay are just two of many issues that transform this film into an absolute letdown. It's Andra Day's phenomenal debut performance that saves a potential trainwreck.

Rated: D+

Jul 24, 2023

Full Review

Carlos Ovalle

But Why Tho? A Geek Community

The United States vs. Billie Holiday is messy yet wonderfully acted. Odd narrative choices and jumbled timelines disrupt what is otherwise an excellent platform for Andra Day...

Rated: 6.5/10

Jan 22, 2023

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M.N. Miller

Ready Steady Cut

Why didn’t the filmmakers here go into Strange Fruit with any aim at examining why the song was so personal to the famed singer? It’s practically an act of censorship.

Rated: 2.5/5

Sep 11, 2022

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Marvin H

Andra Day's performance is breathtaking. She should have won the academy award that year for best actress. She is the soul of the movie. She is vibrant, heartbreaking and sublime as the greatest Billie Holiday.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/22/24

Full Review

Delquis S

The movie was great. Shows how the system hates us. Definitely need more colored critics.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/08/23

Full Review

Justina Y

I don't know how historically accurate this was since some people dispute it, and I'm not that knowledgable myself. But what I can say if that I FELT this performance. The lead and the cast told the story brilliantly and moved me even to tears. I was enthralled from beginning to end.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/16/23

Full Review

Johnson F

Lee Daniels' blazing impassioned treatment and Andra Day's searing Oscar-nominated performance elevates the biography of the titular American swing music singer at war against the government for her anti-lynching anthem, Strange Fruit, and her own inner demons.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/22/23

Full Review

steve d

I didn't buy into the lead's performance, so I didn't like any of it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This biographical drama was alright. Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Garrett Hedlund, and the rest of the cast did a decent job in this movie. This true story about the Jazz singer Billie Holiday was depressing, dramatic, and tragic. It really goes into detail about her life and career, which makes me feel sorry for her because of what she went through. If you're a Hulu member and want to watch this movie sometime, don't waste your time. It's too depressing to watch.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/18/23

Full Review

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Lee Daniels

Director

Andra Day

Billie Holiday

Trevante Rhodes

Jimmy Fletcher

Garrett Hedlund

Harry Anslinger

Natasha Lyonne

Tallulah Bankhead

Da'Vine Joy Randolph

Roslyn

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The United States vs. Billie Holiday: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The legendary Billie Holiday, one of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, spent much of her career being adored by fans across the globe, all while the Federal Department of Narcotics targeted her with an undercover sting operation led by black Federal Agent Jimmy Fletcher, with whom she had a tumultuous affair. Inspired by her life story, THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY intimately examines her struggles with addiction, fame and heartbreaking love.

Director: Lee Daniels
Producer: Jeremy Allen, Mark Bomback, Cassian Elwes, Hilary Shor, George Parra, Johann Hari
Screenwriter: Suzan-Lori Parks
Production Co: Lee Daniels Entertainment, Roth/Kirschenbaum Films, New Slate Ventures
Rating: R (Nudity|Language Throughout|Violence|Sexual Content|Some Lynching Images|Strong Drug Content)
Genre: History, Drama, Biography, Music
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Feb 26, 2021
Runtime: 2h 10m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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