You may not know Chadwick Boseman now but you will soon. He did a great job last year portraying Jackie Robinson in the movie "42". (See it if you haven't.)
In the new "Get on Up," Boseman inhabits James Brown. He studied Brown's physical movements and nails them. Just the way he stands convinces you of the portrayal.
The film explores and explains who James Brown was -- a complicated, flawed man with immense musical talent. Brown, abandoned by his parents, learned self-sufficiency and never outgrew it. He climbed in a competitive business, outsmarted businessmen who wanted to exploit him, and survived with a long career. Yes, he had faults but the movie puts them in perspective.
James Brown was a force of nature. His funky groove was electrifying. This film succeeds at capturing and portraying that. Since watching the movie, I downloaded Brown's live concert at the Apollo Theatre in 1969 and have been listening to it non-stop. The man had soul. And energy. And more soul.
Have you heard his music?
I'm very familiar with James Brown! Love his moves. This sounds like a cool movie - thanks for the recommendation! Have you heard of Janell Monae? We saw her in concert last year and she is like a little female James Brown, both in her music and her funky dance moves.
ReplyDeleteYes. Lots. I even saw him in concert once many years ago!
ReplyDeleteI have seen the previews and it looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteI think thus would be a biopic worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteJust your explanation makes me want to rush out and see the moving dear friend.
ReplyDeletehaven't seen but have heard a lot about it!!
ReplyDeleteI'm really not very interested in seeing the movie, but I do loooooooove James Brown.
ReplyDeleteI really like James Brown for his music and his contributions to social justice. Although my first thought when I hear is name is about a SNL skit from the eighties where Eddie Murphy impersonated him hosting his own show "James Brown's Celebrity Hot Tub."
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