Ruby's Bucket of Blood

This movie appeared, at first, to be something that would turn out to be more interesting than it was. Taking place in the '50's in Louisiana, it sold out far too frequently to the expectations today's audience. The music was not authentic for its time, and there was way too much of it. The dialog was stilted---everyone speaking acting-school English, and the efforts by some actors to mix English with Cajun-French was very self-conscious. There was just no natural flow to the language. A few of the actors were very well-cast and captured the spirit of the thing, and the sets and scenery were pretty good. Having lived in Louisiana in the 50's, I actually relived the scent of the place a few times, but such reveries were infrequent. I didn't stay around for the whole thing, so the plot may have redeemed something by the end, but as I tuned out to watch a higher priority on cable), "Ruby" was just revealing itself as another of those films about homosexuality, and I have no idea how far that went. If you're an old car buff, though, there were some nice DeSotos and Hudsons and Packards. With authentic Louisiana license plates from 1956.

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.

I really enjoyed the movie although I wish some of the plotline was a little more developed or detailed. However, what really got me was the music. It was incredible. I am hoping they come out with a CD of the actual music used in the movie. Kevin Anderson's voice was incredible. I was blown away.

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.