Written by / 8/06/2014 / No comments / , , , ,

CHADWICK BOSEMAN AS JAMES BROWN IN GET ON UP

2014 rating: ***
GET ON UP is an entertaining music biopic that sticks firmly to the tunes, only veering off during particular roadblocks caused by James Brown’s unpredictable behavior…

The Godfather of Soul wound up polarizing his family, band, and sidekick/fellow musician Bobby Byrd, who, played by Nelsan Ellis, is almost as important as Chadwick Boseman's portrayal of a man who made soul music funky and loud, and bankable…

Both have wonderful chemistry and seem like they really know and love each other. So while Brown’s abuse towards his wife is glossed over quickly, the real suspense depends on the friendship and collaboration with Byrd, remaining a faithful barometer throughout the turmoil. 

At first, in a bizarre prelude set in 1988 having to do with Brown’s run-in with a group of totally unhip Caucasians (no surprise for director Tate Taylor), Bosewick seems like he’s doing an imitation – but after we venture back in time, the performance blends neatly into the music. And while scenes of Brown as a youngster, dealing with an abusive father, are heartfelt and deeply tragic, they really serve as sporadic reminders to humble beginnings, continuing throughout the story in an attempt to visualize a haunted inner-child without being too artsy or pretentious.  

The real James Brown
While we unfortunately never learn about the inspirations of the classic songs, ranging from “I Feel Good” to “Papa’s Got A Brand New Bag,” we experience the singer’s climb through various stages, literally, providing examples of how the James Brown sound differentiated from everything and everyone else, including Little Richard and The Rolling Stones...

He created music that not only punctuated the downbeat but  continuously “got down” without letting up. Thankfully the transition of that unique groove onto the big screen isn’t filtered in the process, as happens in many “rock biopics.”

Real life rhythm and blues fanatic Dan Aykroyd, who appeared with Brown in THE BLUES BROTHERS, plays one of the few cool white dudes: the pivotal manager/promoter who winds up learning from his own student about business...

It’s fun seeing Brown taking over by sticking to his guns, sometimes sharing information with the audience via breaking the fourth wall. Although random dramatic scenes, planted throughout the concerts and recording sessions, often feel out of place and, in the case of one overlong conversation with his deadbeat mother (Viola Davis), downright unnecessary. Yet it’s the music that really mattered in Brown’s career, and that’s what carries the film.
Share This Post :
Tags : , , , ,

No comments:

Post a Comment

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

All Time Popular

Featured Post

HARVEY KEITEL & DAVID PROVAL ON 'KOJAK' PILOT 'SIEGE OF TERROR'

Title: KOJAK: SIEGE OF TERROR Year: 1973 Rating: ***1/2 The pilot of the classic series KOJAK is a little different than most of the episode...

WWW.CULTFILMFREAKS.COM

WWW.CULTFILMFREAKS.COM
Movie Reviews, Interviews, Articles and Pop Culture from White Heat to Blue City

RIP ACTOR KEN HUTCHISON

TOTAL HITS

Popular Trending

FOUNDED BY JAMES M. TATE

FOUNDED BY JAMES M. TATE
RANDOM QUOTE: "Yeah, and the devil serves lemonade, right?" David Proval, Kojak

FILM NOIR & NEO NOIR CRIME

FAVORITES SHORTLIST

1)OTLEY 2)HELL IS A CITY 3)ROBBERY 4)THE FEARMAKERS 5)CANYON PASSAGE 6)VIOLENT SATURDAY 7)HOT CARS 8)THE BREAK 9)THE CROWDED SKY 10)THE ROARING TWENTIES 11) ANATOMY OF A MURDER 12)CALCULATED RISK 13)SWEENEY TWO 14)RAIDERS FROM BENEATH THE SEA 15)HARDCORE 16)JUNGLE STREET 17)WHITE HEAT 18)AL CAPONE 19)MODEL SHOP 20)FALLEN ANGEL 21)SHARKS' TREASURE 22)THE ASPHALT JUNGLE 23)ASH WEDNESDAY 24)THE SYSTEM 25)AIR PATROL 26)THE STONE KILLER 27)SANDS OF THE KALAHARI 28)WILLIAM CONRAD'S BRAINSTORM 29)RIOT 30)THE MAN FROM LARAMIE FAVORITE ACTORS 1)DANA ANDREWS 2)JAMES CAGNEY 3)STANLEY BAKER 4)MARLON BRANDO 5)JACK NICHOLSON 6)CHARLES BRONSON 7)BURT REYNOLDS 8)WILLIAM LUCAS 9)TOM COURTENAY 10)GENE HACKMAN DIRECTORS 1)JACQUES TOURNEUR 2)RICHARD FLEISCHER 3)VAL GUEST 4)STANLEY KUBRICK 5)OTTO PREMINGER 6)ORSON WELLES 7)JOHN GUILLERMAN 8)JOHN LANDIS 9)SAM PECKINPAH 10)MICHAEL WINNER

BRITISH NEW WAVE CINEMA

RARITIES AND EXPLOITATION

HAMMER HORROR & THRILLER

Popular This Month

CHARLES BRONSON CINEMA

CINEMA OF DANA ANDREWS

WESTERN GENRE REVIEWS

PEAKING INTO THE SIXTIES

KICKING IN THE EIGHTIES

TALES AND REFLECTIONS

REVVING THE SEVENTIES

Most Popular Last Year