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 | funky music | black musician | based on true story | based on real person | 

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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

Aunjanue Ellis appeared with the real James Brown in Undercover Brother (2002)

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Goofs

When the madam pays James, she peels off a roll of $1 bills.They're federal reserve notes with a green seal, introduced in the early 1960s. The bills should've been silver certificates or US notes with blue or red seals.

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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 Sky World News: Episode dated 30 August 2020 (2020)

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Soundtracks

It's a Man's Man's Man's World (Live in Tampa)
Written by James Brown, Betty Newsome
Performed by James Brown
Courtesy of Republic Records
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Worth the Wait, Worth the time, Worth the $$$

I know folks have been talking about a James Brown biopic for years and I secretly hoped that it would not come to pass. I feared that it would be butchered in an attempt to "butts in the seats". I know folks need to make money but don't kill something wonderful in the process. This movie was WAY better than I had hoped. Kudos to Mick Jagger and a standing ovation for Mr. Chadwick Boseman.

I did not see "42" but the brotha knocked this one clean out of the park. Loved seeing Voila Davis, Octavia Spencer and my girl Jill Scott as well. Of course, the music was amazing! I couldn't get over how Boseman captured James Brown's pattern of speech, walk, dance moves, etc. This performance was electric. Now I have to go read, "The One" to find out how much was fact and how much was fiction.

If you have any interest whatsoever in JB music, catch this one!

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