Review of Get On Up (2014) by Linda C — 02 Aug 2014

Chadwick Boseman's performance as James Brown is one of the best reasons to see this film. He was amazing as Jackie Robinson in 42. I am still in shock that he didn't get nominated for that film. He should get a Best Actor nomination for this film. The film reminded me of movies like Ray and Walk the Line.

The style of the film, stood out for me. The film shifts back and fourth from different time periods, as oppose to telling a chronological story. I like the style but some audience members could view it as a negative and get confused by what is going on. I also like that James Brown talks to the camera (the audience) a couple of times throughout the film. The film is definitely better than Jersey Boys, which came out earlier this summer.

The film also leaves some things out from James Brown life. They do hint on the drugs, women, taxes, and arrests, but never go into it. I did find interesting the scenes where he meets Little Richard and the Rolling Stones. I was disappointed that he didn't perform "Living in America," in the film. That is one of my favorite James Brown songs.

Boseman is amazing as Brown. He really shines here. He has both Brown's voice down and his dance moves. Every time I watched the screen, I didn't see Boseman, I was viewing James Brown. Nelsan Ellis is also good as Bobby Byrd. The film does focus a lot on Byrd's friendship with Brown. There is also fine supporting work from Dan Aykroyd, Craig Robinson, and Octavia Spencer. Viola Davis is very good as Brown's mother. The scene near the end of the film, where she and Chadwick speak to each other, is very moving and powerful.

I definitely recommend this film, especially for Chadwick's performance. He is on a roll. I hope he gets the Oscar nomination.