Get on Up (2014)

A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.

Director:

Tate Taylor

Writers:

Jez Butterworth (screenplay), John-Henry Butterworth (screenplay)

Stars:

Chadwick Boseman, Nelsan Ellis, Dan Aykroyd

5 wins & 18 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Chadwick Boseman	...	James Brown
Nelsan Ellis	...	Bobby Byrd
Dan Aykroyd	...	Ben Bart
Viola Davis	...	Susie Brown
Lennie James	...	Joe Brown
Fred Melamed	...	Syd Nathan
Craig Robinson	...	Maceo Parker
Jill Scott	...	DeeDee Brown
Octavia Spencer	...	Aunt Honey
Josh Hopkins	...	Ralph Bass
Brandon Mychal Smith	...	Little Richard (as Brandon Smith)
Tika Sumpter	...	Yvonne Fair
Aunjanue Ellis	...	Vicki Anderson
Tariq Trotter	...	Pee Wee Ellis
Aloe Blacc	...	Nafloyd Scott

Storyline

On route to the stage, singer James Brown recalls a life with a turbulent childhood where music was his only constructive release for his passions. A chance demonstration of that in prison led to a new friend who helped get him out and into a musical career. With his fire and creative daring, Brown became a star who defiantly created new possibilities in show business both on and behind the stage in face of racism and conventional thinking. Along the way, James would also become a peacemaker who redefined and raised the African-American community's feeling of self-worth when it was needed most. However, those same domineering passions would lead James Brown alienating everyone around him as his appetites became ever more self-destructive. Only after he hit rock bottom with a serious mistake does Brown realize what he needs to do make his life as the Godfather of Soul truly worthwhile.

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Plot Keywords:

breaking the fourth wall | based on real person | man | woman on toilet | shotgun | 

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Taglines:

The Funk don't Quit

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Genres:

Biography | Drama | Music

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for sexual content, drug use, some strong language, and violent situations

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dan Aykroyd and the real James Brown appeared together in The Blues Brothers (1980), Doctor Detroit (1983) and Blues Brothers 2000 (1998).

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Goofs

When James Brown lands in Vietnam, he is greeted by an Army private wearing ribbons on his fatigue uniform.The Army has never worn ribbons on fatigues. The ribbons are also in the wrong order of precedence (campaign ribbons higher than personal decorations such as the Purple Heart),

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Quotes

Aunt Honey: You special. You mama's a no account fool, your daddy too, but you ain't going to be. You gonna be okay. One day, everybody going to know your name.

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Crazy Credits

The movie's title is shown as neon lit text, hanging in a window during the opening scene.

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Connections

Featured in Honest Trailers: Black Panther (2018)

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Soundtracks

Please, Please, Please
Written by James Brown, Johnny Terry
Performed by James Brown
Courtesy of Republic Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Electrifying, spot-on rendition but missing cohesiveness

I loved the sheer energy and dedicated portrayal that Chadwick Boseworth was able to channel from the late Great Godfather of Soul. From the groovy tunes, to the steps but, most importantly for me the voice. Hands down he captured Mr. BROWNS vocals eerily similar to the point of feeling as if the man's spirit was in the theater with you. Yes, we see a small snippet of him as a flawed man and father. We look at his poverty stricken past and what it was like to grow up with extreme segregation and racism. I was able to pity him, love him, want him,hate him,worship him and be awed by him in the small allotted time that I was given. Sometimes the story skips between decades and you never get a full scope of this personal life but you do get a revelation of the genius that he was during a time where being black and about your business, taking no prisoners was not highly thought of or widely accepted.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 August 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Get on Up

Filming Locations:

Natchez, Mississippi, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,585,915, 3 August 2014

Gross USA:

$30,703,100

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$33,448,971

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Entertainment, Jagged Films, Wyolah Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

139 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Datasat Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1