The United States vs. Billie Holiday 2021

Movie · 130 min · English · February 26, 2021

Directed by Lee DanielsWritten by Suzan-Lori Parks

Starring Andra Day, Taryn Brown, Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Leslie Jordan

A 2021 American biographical drama film, The United States vs. Billie Holiday tells the story of the legendary singer Billie Holiday. Lee Daniels directed the movie, which features Andra Day portraying Holiday in the lead role. Supporting cast members include Trevante Rhodes, Garrett Hedlund, Leslie Jordan (his final film appearance), Miss Lawrence, Adriane Lenox, Natasha Lyonne, Rob Morgan, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Evan Ross, and Tyler James Williams. The screenplay was written by Suzan-Lori Parks and draws from the 2015 book Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari.

The film was originally scheduled for a theatrical release in the United States through Paramount Pictures. It was later acquired by Hulu in December 2020 and made available digitally in the U.S. on February 26, 2021. Critics offered mixed reactions to the film, praising Day's performance while criticizing the direction and screenplay as lacking focus. For her role, Day received an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress and won a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama. The film was also nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Original Song ("Tigress and Tweed"). Additionally, the soundtrack earned a Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media, awarded to Andra Day, Salaam Remi, and Lynn Fainchtein.