Watch Been Rich All My Life

"Been Rich All My Life" is a heartwarming and inspiring documentary film directed by Heather Lyn MacDonald, that takes us back to the era of Harlem's Cotton Club from the 1930s, where the likes of Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and theatre legends Mae West, and Ethel Waters were regular performers. The original performers of the Cotton Club and past dancing legends continue to be a cohesive and sparkling troupe today. The documentary chronicles five extraordinary female performers who were once part of the chorus line from the Cotton Club but remained performers. The Cotton Club was a dance hall where only white patrons were allowed, and Black performers provided the entertainment. The troupe calls themselves the Silver Belles, and they continue to dance on Harlem stages despite being all over 84 years old.

The main stars of the documentary are Marion Coles, Elaine Ellis, Cleo Hayes, Fay Ray, and Bertye Lou Wood, who perform verve and sync, recalling their glory days from the golden era of entertainment. The documentary is shot in a style that is half-flashback, half-present day, and it features interviews of the stars interspersed with actual footage from their careers, both complete with imaginative background designs, which creates an immersive effect.

Marion Coles is the de facto leader of the group and has a wicked sense of humor, and she is excellently articulate who reminisces about the good old days with a glamorous twinkle in her eye. Cleo Hayes, one of the undisputed wonders of her day, recalls how she and the other Silver Belles would dance until their feet were bloody, and they would party the night away in wild Harlem nightclubs.

The documentary's plot follows The Silver Belles' journey as they prepare for a benefit show that will launch their comeback in front of a live audience. They practice together after years of working separately. We get to witness the bond and camaraderie that still exists between them, even though they are plagued by their struggles with age and injury. They all nurse knee problems, but despite that, they always perform with energy, grace, and abandon.

Additionally, the movie touches upon broader subjects, including the lack of opportunities for black performers back in the day, the mixed emotions the performers have about their pasts, and the joy and curses of being older women. There are also ghost-like characters dotted throughout the film, re-enacting the days of segregation and reminding the viewer of a bygone era. Through their candid interviews filled with equal parts laughter and tears, we get a chance to know them as more than performers, but rather as authentic human beings.

"Been Rich All My Life" is a poignant and uplifting movie that showcases the resilience and power of women who have had to face daunting challenges throughout their lives, including racism and sexism. The Silver Belles surmount these challenges by refusing to disappear or fade away into obscurity. Instead, they cheerfully dance into the sunset, still hopeful, and still beautiful.

The documentary's musical score includes many songs from the Cotton Club's days, which provide an aura of nostalgia to go hand-in-hand with the movie's themes. Heather Lyn MacDonald's direction is simple and tasteful, allowing for the performances and personalities of the performers to shine through. The movie flows seamlessly and immerses the audience in every moment of the performers' journey. Overall, it's an uplifting and inspiring film that is a must-watch for anyone looking for a hearty dose of roaring 20s nostalgia and the resilience that came with it.

Been Rich All My Life is a 2006 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.4 and a MetaScore of 67.