The Hardest Working Man in Showbusiness
Rounding out this casual Friday with a Biopic you’re sure to enjoy. Get On Up starring Chadwick Boseman and Nelsan Ellis, directed by Tate Taylor.
I’m sure the box office is going sway in the Guardians favor, but Get on Up is one of those Biopics that not only changes how you view the man it’s about but changes your views on the music industry as a whole. It’s definitely a must see.
Get On Up is the story of James Brown or the many names and stages of James Brown. One thing for sure this movie gets you to see that no matter what name he was going by at the time, he had the world chanting it. The movie takes an interesting journey through the life of James Brown. It’s almost like your snapped in and then oscillate between earlier and later moments in his career, then, once you settle, you move forward through the rest.
They took an interesting take in a biopic by having Mr. Brown break the fourth wall on a few occasions but it worked as a whole to tell the story of a man who was the show AND the business of his career. Chadwick Boseman portrays James Brown brialliantly and was able to carry out his manerisms, voice, and moves with skill. The beauty of the film itself is the realness of it all. You may have respected James Browns work ethic, but at the end of the day he was still a man, flaws and all. He grew up in a world and found his place in it. You see the light & dark and all the grey in between.
It was nice to see Nelsan Ellis in the mix there as Bobby Byrd, James’ closest friend, I’m use to seeing this guy on True Blood as Lafayette, so it was nice seeing him play a contrasting character. His character endured a great deal from James Brown throughout the years and still stood by him. You can see Byrd’s emotional fortitude up until the very end lasting with his friend.
Overall, this is one of those movies you definitely want to see once. As an individual with a business mindset it makes you see James Brown in a new light. I personally was afforded the opportunity to learn more about this individual thanks to the movie. Growing in an industry during the time of the civil rights movement, James Brown was able to reach millions because of his pure view of music. He knew exactly who he was and what he wanted to do, and it makes you respect him just a little bit more.