Film Review: "Get on Up" (2014).

"The Funk don't Quit" in Get on Up. This biographical musical drama film directed by Tate Taylor, and written by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth. The film follows James Brown as he struggles to overcome the challenges of poverty and misfortune to emerge as one of the most successful musicians of his time.

In 2000, Imagine Entertainment were developing a James Brown biopic with a script titled Star Time written by Steven Baigelman. Jez and John-Henry Butterworth were brought on to rewrite the script, titled Superbad. Spike Lee was set to direct. But, in 2006, Lee left the project as development stalled over music licensing and finance issues. In 2012, it was revived when producer Mick Jagger read a recent draft by the Butterworth brothers. John-Henry Butterworth was fascinated by the period concept of celebrity in preparing to write. The script took some liberties and includes at least one scene involving fabricated incidents. In late October, it was announced that Taylor was set to direct. In late August 2013, Universal Pictures set an October 17, 2014 release date for the film. Later, in mid November, Universal pushed forward the release date from October 17 to August 1, 2014. In late August 2013, Universal selected Chadwick Boseman to play Brown. Boseman did all of his own dancing and some singing, though the film utilised live recordings of Brown. In mid September, Universal announced an open casting call for actors, musicians, and extras for different roles in the biopic, which was held in late September. By early November, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd, Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Craig Robinson, Lennie James, Fred Melamed, Jamal Batiste, Josh Hopkins, Brandon Mychal Smith, Tika Sumpter, Aunjanue Ellis, Tariq Trotter, Nick Eversman, Aaron Jay Rome, Clyde Jones, Joe T. Blankenship, Aakomon Jones, Jamell Richardson, Justin Hall, David Carzell, Jason Davis, and Charles R. Rooney rounded out the cast. At the same time, with a budget of $30 million, principal photography commenced, and wrapped in late December. Film took place in Jackson and Natchez, Mississippi.

The film stars an ensemble cast that includes Boseman, Ellis, Aykroyd, Davis, Spencer, Robinson, James, Melamed, Batiste, Hopkins, Mychal Smith, Sumpter, Ellis, Trotter, Eversman, Jay Rome, Jones, Blankenship, Jones, Richardson, Hall, Carzell, Davis, and Rooney. Boseman does the impossible—radiates something approaching the charisma of the artist he's portraying. Not since Jamie Foxx with Ray (2004) that an actor has ever brought a pop icon fully to life on-screen. Boseman does what he's supposed to. He steals his own show. Boseman proves that he may just be one of the most interesting actors of his generation. A subtle mix of impression, pathos and rare presence, he holds your focus even when the film begins to prevaricate.

An engrossing and energetic portrait of a great musician's achievements and foibles, Get on Up is anchored by Boseman's stunning performance as Brown. Sure, it's the Chadwick Boseman breakout role. But the film around it is so systematically 'inspirational' that it comes perilously close to sabotaging the breakout. The film is an excellent portrayal of extraordinary musician.

Simon says Get on Up receives:

Also, see my review for The Help.