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IMDbPro

Charles Bradley: Soul of America

  • 20122012
  • Not RatedNot Rated
  • 1h 15m
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
625
YOUR RATING
Charles Bradley: Soul of America (2012)
  • Documentary
  • Biography
  • Music
The incredible rise of 62-year-old aspiring soul singer Charles Bradley, whose debut album rocketed him from a hard life in the Brooklyn Housing Projects to Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 a... Read allThe incredible rise of 62-year-old aspiring soul singer Charles Bradley, whose debut album rocketed him from a hard life in the Brooklyn Housing Projects to Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 albums of 2011.The incredible rise of 62-year-old aspiring soul singer Charles Bradley, whose debut album rocketed him from a hard life in the Brooklyn Housing Projects to Rolling Stone Magazine's top 50 albums of 2011.
IMDb RATING
7.5/10
625
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Poull Brien
  • Stars
    • Charles Bradley
    • Alex Everett
    • Sharon Jones
Top credits
  • Director
    • Poull Brien
  • Stars
    • Charles Bradley
    • Alex Everett
    • Sharon Jones
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 2User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production, box office & company info
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 2 nominations

    Photos

    Charles Bradley in Charles Bradley: Soul of America (2012)
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    Top cast

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    Charles Bradley
    Charles Bradley
    • Self
    Alex Everett
    Sharon Jones
    Sharon Jones
    • Self
    Jonny Santos
    Damani H. Young
    • Director
      • Poull Brien
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Soundtracks
      The Traitor
      Written by Thomas Brenneck, David Guy & Leon Michels

      Performed by Menahan Street Band

    User reviews2

    Review
    Top review
    10/10
    If you liked Sugar man you'll love Charles Bradley too.
    I came across this movie almost by accident, the poster art seemed fairly uninspiring and I'd certainly not heard of Charley Bradley. The movie opens and I'm wondering if this a mockumentary like Spinal tap about a James Brown impersonator? But as the story unfolds you release there is a whole deeper dimension to the film and indeed Charles Bradley.

    Charles is an instantly likable man and the movie chronicles his journey from living in the projects, working as a James Brown impersonator to his debut on stage as himself. Something which he himself finds hard to do after so many years of performing as the Godfather of Soul. Charles is a tour-de-force in himself. He is not James Brown, but his own man and a deeply moving artist in his own right.

    The documentary lets us discover who Charles is, where he lives, what his life is and what his dreams are. At it's heart it's a simple story about a struggling singer looking to make it big. But what makes the movie amazing is Charles. A man with a wonderful heart full of love and pain. Charles isn't a polished act or pop idol wannabe, he's a man in his 60's who has had a hard life but hasn't given up on his dream. The movie gives us an insight into how hard things are for some in America, when Charles sings "why is it so hard to make it in America?" you can't help but be moved.

    By the end of the movie you will genuinely be touched by the mans struggle and be rooting for him to succeed.
    helpful•20
    0
    • mossch
    • May 4, 2013

    Details

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    • Release date
      • March 9, 2012 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official sites
      • Official Facebook
      • Official site
    • Language
      • English
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 15 minutes

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