Ruby's Bucket of Blood

I'm not a cable subscriber. This Showtime movie I rented strictly because of Angela Bassett and Executive Producer Whoopi Goldberg (One Ho Productions). Coming from Cajun roots, I was disappointed at the poor attempt at the Cajun dialogue. (If you can't do it right, leave it alone)

Angela Bassett plays a Juke Joint Owner in a small town in Louisiana. She's married to a man who has outgrown the marriage for whatever reason. The time is suppose to be the 60's. I was surprised to hear a customer asking Ruby (Angela Bassett) "Are you down with that"?? I was expecting the sexual tension that I read on the DVD cover. Instead, I felt the movie fell flat, especially towards the end. Angela delivers, as does Kevin Anderson.

Adapted from a stage play, I would have preferred to see the play.

As with "O Brother, Where Art Thou," the music in this film is a major reason to watch it--if you like The Blues, that is. In fact, the first half of the film is mostly filled with terrific performances of blues music (with dashes of jazz and cajun.) In 1961, in a Louisiana backwater, Billy Dupree, a white singer (played by Broadway's Kevin Anderson) lands a gig at Ruby's joint, whose clientele is black, when she suddenly needs a replacement act. Angela Bassett is Ruby, one tough cookie, who inexplicably doesn't realize her own sexy beauty. Her philandering fool of a husband walks out on her early on. Of course, Billy proves himself as a blues belter and romance blooms between the two singers, despite the interracial barrier, and despite Billy also being married--to a woman with mental problems. There are sub-plots, one involving Ruby's teen-aged daughter, and one about two of the black band members who are gay. (One wants to leave for New Orleans to find fame while the other is content where he is.) But this is mainly a love story. Despite a somewhat predictable plot and some credibility lapses (given the severe black anti-gay prejudice today, would the two musicians be so open about their attraction 40 years ago?) this is an engrossing film--well acted and directed--that will appeal to blues fans.

First of all, what's up with the title of the bar? Where did that come from? Secondly, what was up with that husband? He seemed downright hostile towards her and for what reason? She cooked for him, looked good for him and was a hard worker. What was his problem? I kept waiting for some answers and none came. And that ending! Please! Just where did she think she could go and not get found? What a terrible example for her daughter. The introduction of the gay theme was interesting, but it went NOWHERE. Still...I loved watching Angela Bassett, one of my favorite actresses.

I love a movie like this that has no boring scenes. I think Kevin Anderson is highly underrated as an actor and I expect to see him soar soon. He struck my attention just as Russell Crowe did in "the Quick and the Dead"

Billy Dupree was a real person yet there ia absolutely no information on his music and radio personality. Was this based on his true story? Where did you find this information if it is?

This movie was very good and touched my heart. I cried for the loss of such a musical talent. Especially if this is actually what happened to Billy Dupree. It was a true loss to the entire music industry and a real waste of a great talent.