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 |
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. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
I remember when I first herd rumors about this movie, and Spike Lee's Involvement with it. He wanted Wesley Snipes to be The hardest working man in showbiz and I thought, perfect. Chadwick Boseman had some big shoes to fill, not only in my perception of Snipes but being James Brown himself. Lucky for Chadwick, Tate Taylor was backing him up.
The director made a well crafted biopic about James Brown. Choosing to format the story in a more nonlinear fashion, which was brilliant. Sometimes movies based on real people tend to get dull when they hit a point in their lives when nothing is really going on. Taylor fixed it by not telling the story of James Brown from beginning to end.
The movie goes over all the highlights of James Brown's career. From playing Boston after Martian Luther king was shot to his infamous car chase with the state troopers. In-between it tells the story of James Brown's youth before he even got into music.
The musical part I found interesting, as it showcases what made Mr. Brown's sound so unique and what was going through his head when he was making music.
It's strange that Chadwick Boseman is making a career out of playing famous trail blazers, doing James Brown so soon after playing Jackie Robinson in 42. He does do a better job in this film than he did in 42. Watching him perform as James Brown was entertaining.
So despite falling into some clichés you see with biopic about musicians (like that scene in the beginning of the movie when an old icon reflects on his past) the movie did have it's own unique style too it similar to Mr. Brown himself, and though Chadwick's performance was bold genuine, I'm still thinking what Wesley Snipes could have done with the film.