Get On Up
Dir: Tate Taylor
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Viola Davis, Octavia
Spencer, Dan Aykroyd, Craig Robinson, Lennie James, and Jill Scott
James Brown, the Godfather of Soul. His music is iconic, his
personality changed the face of popular music, and his impact is still heard
today, James Brown is one of the most influential musicians of all time.
Director Tate Taylor, who directed last years “42” the story of another legend
Jackie Robinson, turns the music up and let’s the impressive talents of
Chadwick Boseman bring James Brown to life. While “Get On Up” falls into the
sorts of formulaic issues biopics have a propensity of becoming, it’s difficult
to keep your feet from moving as you try and keep karaoke tendencies at bay
while watching Boseman’s wholehearted performance.
Through jumps back in forth in the timeline, James Brown’s
(Chadwick Boseman) life is portrayed from a young child living in poverty with
parents that ignore him to the peaks of sold out concert venues. Music, the songs
of his parents and gospel songs of the church that he wanders into, play
important moments that influence Brown from a young age. Brown, finding the rhythms
that will define his struggle and sound, is sent to juvenile corrections for
stealing a suit. It’s in jail that he finds his musical companion Bobby Byrd
(Nelsan Ellis) who opens the door for Brown’s future success. Brown becomes a
national figure but struggles in his personal life, and with his own
controlling ego, challenge his career.
Taylor begins the film with one of Brown’s most embarrassing
moments, the high-speed chase from law enforcement in his latter years. Events
don’t remain solemn very long as Brown is positioned in front of a microphone
with a screaming crowd in front of him and one of his many classic songs to
sing. It’s in these moments when the film shines brightest, but the narrative
is undercut by a glaring lack of personal emotion. Brown’s childhood is
terrible and Taylor emphasizes that aspect, but once Brown becomes a superstar
matters get overlooked. The abusive husband Brown becomes emulates his father, but it is quickly
displayed in one scene. And the relationship with his children is barely presented.
While some may argue that this is suppose to be about the man and the music,
it’s these other elements that add important substance to the composition of
the character.
Still, it’s hard not to get pulled into this film. Taylor’s
setups for the concert scenes are impressive and he effectively portrays
Brown’s appealing nature through some of his most influential moments, like his
participation in preventing riots in Boston after the assassination of Martin
Luther King Jr. or his visits to entertain troops in Vietnam. But what really
drives the film is the stunning performance by Chadwick Boseman who nails Brown’s
performance presence. Nelsan Ellis is also good as Bobby Byrd, a nice contrast
to Boseman’s big performance, which shines in the smaller moments when it’s
just the two actors on screen.
“Get on Up” is elevated by good performances and effectively
keeps everything upbeat by focusing on the music of James Brown. Unfortunately
these positives can’t mask the narrative issues but that shouldn’t stop fans of
Mister Dynamite from heading to the theater for this one.
Monte’s Rating
3.25 out of 5.00
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