Review of Get On Up (2014) by Mona M — 31 Jul 2014

Interesting presentation for this narrative piece. Somewhat fantastical mixed with a non-linear story structure. The difficulty in telling this story about a man who lived a long and colorful life must have been what to leave out. For the most part, the many women and children were alluded to but never the main narrative.

The flashbacks to the boy James Brown really seemed to work and gave us great insight to his inner journey. The things that were truly unique about James...his savvy business smarts despite a seventh grade education and his way before his time forays into funk were included, but left me wanting to know more.

The relationship with his friend and band mate was interesting, but the ninth inning attempt to make the movie about that more than James Brown vs. James Brown felt forced and unauthentic. It felt too long. A good 20 minutes could probably be cut and not affect the movie one bit. Worth seeing if you love the music, I do, but maybe okay to wait for DVD.