Okay right from the get-go I have to admit that "A CD of JB" has always been in every vehicle I've owned since who knows when? It is one of 5 discs* I never go anywhere without. So I know this music. I've listened to it a lot. And, I'm proud to say I have the 45's "Please Please Please" and "Try Me" on the Federal Label.
I finally got to see this film, and because-it's-about-a-black-guy-flick, it ain't gonna be in Greenville, Michigan long. And I am grateful for local Cinemas so I attempt to support them when I can.
Okay, time to get down to business. Time to get on the good foot.
"Get On Up" is the James Brown biopic. Chadwick Bodwin is the lead here. Coming off last year's amazing "42" wherein he portrayed Jackie Robinson. ("42" was truly was the best picture of last year, but it was ignored by the Oscars.) Whenever the Oscars get it right, it seems like it's a total accident.
This guy is the real deal. I really hope Chadwick Bodwin gets the credit he deserves. This performance is astounding to say the least. And this starts to beg the question: How many astounding performances is an actor required to turn in before they start to get Denzel/Tom Hanks-like cred? But I digress.
Bodwin turns in one of the most amazing performances I have seen not only this year but in many years. He comes as close as anyone could ever hope to come in capturing the persona of this complex, bigger-than-life, pitiful childhood, Godfather of Soul, Super Funk, innovative genius, confused and at times deluded, hardest working man in show business, mysterious and at times lonely and confused man. And Chadwick had the voice down! The voice alone was incredible.
But this film is not great. Although the lead is great and there are a lot of great elements, this film lacks real cohesion. I know showing a life chronologically is Hollywood is verboten, but I think shooting a end-of-life moment and then going back to tell us the whole life in order would have served this film well.
James Brown would have been an amazing person for surviving his childhood alone. A dirt-poor, beaten, and ultimately abandoned child would have pretty much did a lot of people in. But not this guy. He sustained. He hung in there. He stayed on the good foot.
He busted into a car and stole a suit. He was sentenced to 14 years. Fourteen. (Most white guys now get about a 2-4, if they are chronic offenders). There I go digressing again. Anyhow, by a quirk of fate he meets a guy that gives him a place to parole to, and the story goes from there. (He actually only did about 3 years of his sentence). This guy goes on to be his bandleader and long time compatriot... the guy that always patted him on the back and put the robe on him....
James Brown, James Brown. You had such a complex, bigger-than-life quality, how is any actor supposed to play you? Well this guy did you proud. But this Director didn't. He shot all of the stuff with you as a kid, you in your early career, you in the super-funk era, and you near the end, and this director didn't have a clue what to do with it. He just flipped coins and strung it all together in the most of slipshod methods. The continuity here totally sucked.
I couldn't love this movie. The lack of any sense of continuity killed it from being great. Chadwick Bodwin is fabulous. Some of the supporters too. But even Chadwick's performance can't out-do horrible director choices.
The only thing that keeps me from totally hating this is Chadwick. He has garnered this flick a C+ from me. Mr. Director, you owe a lot to Chadwick. You might actually get another shot because of him, you hack.
Grade: Okay, Okay, A Reluctant B-. You convinced me Chadwick.....but all others, be warned.
