Get On Up (2014)

The legendary rhythm and blues singer, James Brown (Chadwick Boseman, Jackie Robinson in 42) and his rise from the backwoods of Georgia as an abandoned child to the Godfather Of Soul performing to sellout houses around the world. Quite possibly the best music movie biography since WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?. The director Tate Taylor (THE HELP) does some wonderful stuff here. While most movie biographies follow the tried and true formula of rags to riches to heartbreak to triumph with only a strong central performance to elevate it into something special, Taylor presents the story in a non linear fashion that jumps all over the place. Brown the Star then Brown the child then Brown the struggling singer, then back to the Star, back to the child etc. And every so often Brown turns to the camera and talks to us, the audience. Perhaps most important of all, Taylor respects and gives Brown's music its due (unlike Eastwood's treatment of Frankie Valli in JERSEY BOYS). While Boseman can't give us the same thrill that the real Brown did when performing (who could?), he approximates Brown's soulful sexual energy when performing (he lipsyncs to Brown's voice) and his acting in the film is impeccable. There's one unforgettable scene where the mother (Viola Davis) who abandoned him comes to see him backstage at the Apollo that will stay with you long after you've left the theater, as memorable as Davis's one big scene in DOUBT. If only all musical bios were this good! The excellent supporting cast includes Dan Aykroyd, Octavia Spencer, Nelsan Ellis, Jill Scott, Brandon Smith in a showy performance as Little Richard and as the child James Brown, Jamarion and Jordan Scott whose strong work belies their young age.