Get on Up

Why is it that biopics are hotter now more than ever? Could it be that the truth is, or can be, stranger than fiction? True stories, whether on film, or in our own lives, can truly be totally bizarre situations, especially if any embellishing is conveyed in the process. This year alone has offered us a plethora of films based on true stories: "The Monuments Men", "Son of God", "Walking with the Enemy", The Railway Man", "Cesar Chavez", "Million Dollar Arm", "50 to 1", "Jersey Boys", and now we have in our midst, "Get on Up".

Chadwick Boseman portrays James Brown in this incredible tale based on a true story of the 'Godfather of Soul'. The film gives a fearless look inside the music, his moves, or 'groove' as he called it, and moods of Brown, taking the audience on a journey from his impoverished childhood whereas he was barely raised by his parents-- his father Joe (Lennie James) being an abuser and his mother Susie (Viola Davis) being her husband's 'punching bag', left the situation so as leaving James' dad to raise him. When his dad enlisted in the Army and subsequently went off to war, he left young James with his sister Honey (Octavia Spencer) to finish raising him. As James grew he perpetually got into trouble and landed in jail where he met, also an inmate, Bobby Byrd (Nelsan Ellis), who later became his longtime friend and manager since they both loved to sing. As Bobby and James became more famous, they were then represented by Ben Bart (Dan Aykroyd) and James was then the icon people wanted. This fueled James' issues on having to feel constantly needed to a point where he was a genius, but obnoxious, unruly and totally out of control so much of the time. He evolved into one of the most influential figures of the 20th century.

others to round out the cast are Fred Melamed as Syd Nathan, Craig Robinson as Maceo Parker, Jill Scott as DeeDee Brown, Josh Hopkins as Ralph Bass, Brandon Smith as Little Richard, Tika Sumpter as Yvonne Fair, Aunjanue Ellis as Vicki Anderson, Tariq Trotter as Pee Pee Ellis, and Aloe Blacc as Nafloyd Scott.

This was directed by relative newcomer to feature films, Tate Taylor ("Pretty Ugly People" '08, "The Help" '11). I must say, there are seasoned directors that can't direct as well as this guy, although the directing was a bit choppy in isolated places, it was majorly helmed with expertise. Even though Boseman as Brown was performed well, Taylor's ability to exact that Brown look and intensity was delineated with fine tune guidance by Taylor. He WILL receive more projects. It was written by Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth which was based on a story by Steven Baigelman, Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth. The way the script went fom 1988 back to 1968, then later jumping ahead and eventually reaching 1988, where the film started, and then went beyond that time, was smart and original, but at times was a bit confusing. This can be a tedious balancing act in that it's a refreshing idea, but if overdone, can become convoluded. This takes a very professional and seasoned screenwriter to be able to pull this off. These guys were good, and besides a couple of areas that weren't addressed, this was solid. After seeing Boseman in "42", the story of Jackie Robinson, I felt he could pull off this role, and he did in spades. I smell possible Oscar nod for him this year.

Obviously being a James Brown fan would help in aseeing this, but even if you're not, the acting by Boseman, Davis, Aykroyd, Ellis, and Spencer will be worth the price of admission all by itself.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                               Rated: PG-13                             138mins.