While many other kids grew up listening to the sounds of The Beatles, Cat Stevens and Simon & Garfunkel, the only tunes playing in the Galler family household were Motown and soul hits. My sister and I can sing all the words to every song by Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye and Michael Jackson (solo and the Jackson 5). So when I heard there was a movie coming out about the life and music of James Brown, I couldn't wait to see it.
I first read about the film in the Entertainment Weekly Summer Movie Preview issue. I noted the date in my phone and anxiously awaited the movie's release.
This past Saturday I went with two friends to see the story of the Godfather of Soul, appropriately titled "Get On Up."
Going into it, I was expecting it to be something like "Ray" (about the life of Ray Charles) or "This Is It" (about the preparation for Michael Jackson's final tour).
The movie stars actor Chadwick Boseman as James Brown. You may recognize Boseman from his role as Jackie Robinson in the movie "42." In this role, Boseman mimicked the sound of James Brown's voice to an uncanny degree. He also mastered his signature dance moves and behavioral mannerisms.
There was a lot I didn't know about James Brown's childhood that is revealed through this film. The man who I always pictured as having shellacked hair and glittering jumpsuits actually had a pretty disturbing upbringing. As a result of those early years and as a means of self-presevation, James grows up to be an incredible narcissist.
Alongside James Brown, the film also stars Nelsan Ellis as James' friend and bandmate Bobby Byrd. Ellis is best known as Lafayette on HBO's "True Blood." I didn't recognize his face at first (totally different look), but I recognized his voice immediately. For my fellow "True Blood" fans, I kept waiting for him to call James "hooker."
The relationship between James and Bobby was the best, most complex part of the movie. Bobby struggles to be there for James as his ego multiples over the years. You can see the inner struggle where Bobby continually tries to decide if he'll pause his own life to support James or abandon him as so many others have before.
Though a small part, actress and singer Jill Scott appears in a few scenes as James' second wife, DeeDee. They meet while James is performing at a club and their chemistry is palpable. Scott looks the best she ever has in this part - beautiful, confident and basking in the glow of fame.
Now I know what what you really care about, which songs are on the soundtrack. There are over 20 tracks and you can view the full list here which includes Out of Sight, Please Please Please, Papa's Got a Brand New Bag, Try Me and Get Up Offa That Thing.
The film, directed by Tate Taylor of "The Help," clocks in at two hours and eighteen minutes. To be honest, they probably could have cut it down to 90 minutes. There was a lot of time spent on James' childhood, when most of us came to enjoy the music and dance in our seats.
Personally, I'd wait until this one comes out on Netflix and save it for one of those first, cold, winter nights when you decide to stay home and order in.
Did you see any movies over the weekend?
