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== Critical reception ==
== Critical reception ==
{{Expand section|date=August 2014}}
{{Expand section|date=August 2014}}
''Get On Up'' has been met with positive reviews from critics, with praise mainly going to the performance of Chadwick Boseman. The film currently has a rating of 77% on the review aggregator site [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 110 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site's consensus reads: "With an unforgettable Chadwick Boseman in the starring role, ''Get On Up'' offers the Godfather of Soul a fittingly dynamic homage".<ref>Rotten Tomatoes, "[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/get_on_up/ Get On Up (2014)]. Accessed July 31, 2014.</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/movie/get-on-up</ref>
''Get On Up'' has been met with positive reviews from critics, with praise mainly going to the performance of Chadwick Boseman, as well as to Brandon Smith for his brief but memorable role as Little Richard.<ref>http://abcnews.go.com/.../movie-review-chadwick.../story...</ref><ref>http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/james.../2014/08/01...</ref><ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../get-on-up-review_n...</ref> . The film currently has a rating of 77% on the review aggregator site [[Rotten Tomatoes]], based on 110 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site's consensus reads: "With an unforgettable Chadwick Boseman in the starring role, ''Get On Up'' offers the Godfather of Soul a fittingly dynamic homage".<ref>Rotten Tomatoes, "[http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/get_on_up/ Get On Up (2014)]. Accessed July 31, 2014.</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".<ref>http://www.metacritic.com/movie/get-on-up</ref>


==Box office==
==Box office==

Revision as of 09:51, 9 August 2014

Get on Up
Theatrical release poster
Directed byTate Taylor
Screenplay byJez Butterworth
John-Henry Butterworth
Story bySteven Baigelman
Jez Butterworth
John-Henry Butterworth
Produced byBrian Grazer
Mick Jagger
Tate Taylor
Victoria Pearman
Erica Huggins
Starring
CinematographyStephen Goldblatt
Edited byMichael McCusker
Music byThomas Newman
Production
companies
Imagine Entertainment
Jagged Films
Wyolah Films
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • August 1, 2014 (2014-08-01) (United States)
Running time
138 minutes[1]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$30 million[2]
Box office$17,914,610[3]

Get on Up is a 2014 American biographical drama film about the life of singer James Brown directed by Tate Taylor and written by Jez and John-Henry Butterworth.[4] The film stars Chadwick Boseman as Brown, Nelsan Ellis and Tika Sumpter. The film was released on August 1, 2014.[5]

Plot

James Brown walks through a darkened hall. From outside, an audience is chanting his name loudly. As he takes his walk, he hears voices of people he knew throughout his life. In 1988, in Augusta, Georgia, James learns that the bathroom in a strip mall he owns was used without his consent by Shirley Buell. As he confronts and then forgives her transgression, he accidentally fires a shotgun, attracting the police.

During the 1960s, James and his band decide to travel to Vietnam to show support to the black troops. Their plane is hit and James blames the corporal, ignoring proposed to put on a well-received show. In 1939, Little James is raised in the woods by Susie and Joe, whose marriage is fraught with financial struggles and sexualized abuse.

James performs in singing group The Famous Flames live before audiences. Manager Ben Bart convinces them to let The Rolling Stones close their show and receive top billing, arguing they will be has-beens. During other performances for white audiences James imagines a black crowd. In James's childhood, Susie leaves Joe. Joe threatens her with a gun and he keeps James. Joe continues to abuse James until he goes off to join the army. James is left living with and working for his Aunt Honey. At her home he attends church and enjoys the choir.

At the age of 17, James breaks into a car and steals a suit. The police chase after him and he is arrested, receiving a 5-13 year sentence. In prison, James sees a group of singers performing. His enthusiastic reaction incites a riot where both he and one of the singers, Bobby Byrd are injured. Bobby assists James in attaining parole by taking him into the Byrd household. Bobby's sister Sarah enters a sexual relationship with James.

Years later, James joins Bobby's gospel group. They put on a show at a club as The Famous Flames, following a performance from Little Richard. Later Richard warns James against making music for the "white devil". Another flashback from James's childhood shows him and other black boys forced into a battle royale, but James takes solace in the nearby funk band.

In the 1950s, James and Bobby are at a diner and meet an agent from King Records, with whom the Flames record their first song, "Please, Please, Please" with King Records. Syd Nathan initially critiques the song's repetition but appreciates James's vocals. Ben Bart becomes James's manager, calling him the true voice of the group. The records are labelled as "James Brown and His Famous Flames", leading all members except Bobby to quit.

James and Bobby form a new band, with instrument players Maceo Parker, Pee Wee Ellis, Nafloyd Scott, and Baby Roy. The band performs at the Apollo Theater to an excited audience. While the band relaxes in their dressing rooms, Bobby goes over to James and tells him that a lady claiming to be his mother is there. As a child James saw Susie with a soldier, to whom she claimed she didn't recognize James. Aunt Honey consoles James that his mother is a fool and James will someday be rich.

James has a child, Teddy, with his first wife Velma, and then later divorces her. His second wife is DeeDee. On one occasion, the couple hosts a Christmas event outside their house, where James hands money to children. Afterwards, James hits DeeDee for wearing an outfit that allows men to stare at her. James does his best to reach out to the black community. He gathers a group of children and records the song "Say It Loud - I'm Black and I'm Proud". James convinces the manager of The Garden not to cancel a performance following the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr.. Several people try to get on stage; security guards intercede until James controls the audience. Members of the white community resent James Brown's success but appreciate his music.

Over time James begins to treat his bandmates like his lackeys and fails to allow creative input from the others, pay them on time, or provide consistent off days. Maceo is their spokesman as they all walk out. Ben dies of a heart attack to James's. After another performance, Bobby muses about a lead career. James feels betrayed and they argue harshly.

Back at the Apollo, Susie expresses her love for James in spite of her reluctance to be a mother. James makes her leave with $100. Bobby comes back in, sees James having a breakdown, and heeds his request to take care of Susie. In 1973, James learns Teddy has been killed in a car accident. Immediately before the incident at the strip mall, James smokes a joint laced with angel dust. The police chase James down and arrest him.

In 1993, James meets Bobby for the first time since Teddy's funeral to give him and his wife two tickets to his next show for him and his wife. James walks onto the stage through a darkened hall as shown at the beginning of the film. He sees visions of everybody from his life chanting his name, and remembering how far he's come to get to this point. His performance of "Try Me" moves Bobby and his wife to tears. The audience cheers James on.

Cast

Production

On October 22, 2012, it was announced that Tate Taylor was set to direct the untitled biopic about James Brown, to be produced by Mick Jagger and Imagine Entertainment's Brian Grazer.[4] The film was shot in Mississippi.[6] On August 29, 2013, Universal Pictures set October 17, 2014 as a release date for the film, previously untitled.[22] Later, on November 13, Universal shifted the release date of the biopic from October to August 1, 2014.[5]

Casting

On August 26, 2013, Universal selected Chadwick Boseman to play the lead role of James Brown.[6] On September 17, Universal announced an open casting call for actors, musicians and extras for different roles in the biopic, which was held on September 21.[23] On September 30, Taylor cast Viola Davis to play Susie Brown and Octavia Spencer to play Aunt Honey.[9] On October 21, Nelsan Ellis joined the cast of film to portray Bobby Byrd, Brown's long-time friend.[7] Lennie James joined the cast on October 23, to play the role of Brown's father Joseph "Joe" James.[10] On October 24, Universal added James DuMont to play a USO envoy named Corporal Dooley.[16] On October 30, 2013, Kirk Bovill also joined the cast of the film.[17] Jill Scott and Dan Aykroyd were added to cast in Get on Up on October 31; Scott played Brown's wife while Aykroyd played Ben Bart, the President of one of New York's largest talent agencies Universal Attractions Agency.[8]

On November 3, Universal added Keith Robinson to the film to portray the role of Baby Roy, a member of Brown's band.[14] On November 14, Tika Sumpter also joined the cast, to play singer Yvonne Fair.[13] There was a rumor that Taraji P. Henson was to join the film to play Tammi Terrell.[24] Nick Eversman joined the cast on November 19, to play Mick Jagger.[15] On December 9, 2013, it became public that Brandon Mychal Smith was selected to portray Brown's musical idol, Little Richard.[25] On December 20, Josh Hopkins joined the film to portray the role Ralph Bass, a music producer.[11] After the shooting wrapped up in Natchez, MS, the production was looking for extras to begin a shoot on January 6, 2014, filming a concert scene set in Paris in 1971.[26] There was another call on January 6, 2014 for extras to film some daytime scenes in Jackson on January 7, 2014.[27]

Filming

Shooting began on November 4, 2013 in Natchez, Mississippi, in and around Natchez through the end of the year, and then in Jackson, Mississippi.[28] On December 20, 2013, the film wrapped up shooting in Natchez. Crews were set to take a holiday break and then returned to filming from January 6, 2014 to January 24, 2014 in Jackson.[26][29]

Filming got on track again on January 6, 2014 in Jackson.[27] On January 13, 2014, press posted the news that crews had filmed large scenes at Thalia Mara Hall, and they also shot other scenes at Mississippi Coliseum, Capitol Street and some of the restaurants in Jackson.[30]

Marketing

On March 13, 2014, Universal released some photos and a first official trailer of the film.[31][32] A second official trailer was released on May 20.[33]

Critical reception

Get On Up has been met with positive reviews from critics, with praise mainly going to the performance of Chadwick Boseman, as well as to Brandon Smith for his brief but memorable role as Little Richard.[34][35][36] . The film currently has a rating of 77% on the review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes, based on 110 reviews, with an average rating of 6.7/10. The site's consensus reads: "With an unforgettable Chadwick Boseman in the starring role, Get On Up offers the Godfather of Soul a fittingly dynamic homage".[37] On Metacritic, the film has a score of 71 out of 100, based on 42 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[38]

Box office

The film grossed an $13.6 million during its opening weekend, finishing in third place at the box office behind fellow new release Guardians of the Galaxy ($94.3 million) and Lucy ($18.3 million).[39]

References

  1. ^ "Get On Up". AMC Theatres. January 8, 2014. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  2. ^ http://online.wsj.com/articles/james-brown-the-making-of-get-on-up-1406228578
  3. ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=getonup.htm
  4. ^ a b Fleming Jr, Mike (October 22, 2012). "'The Help's Tate Taylor and Mick Jagger Join Brian Grazer On James Brown Biopic". deadline.com. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Universal Moves Up Release Date For James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". indiewire.com. November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  6. ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (August 28, 2013). "'42′ Star Chadwick Boseman to Play James Brown". variety.com. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  7. ^ a b Gallagher, Brian (October 21, 2013). "Nelsan Ellis Joins the James Brown Biopic Get on Up". movieweb.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  8. ^ a b c d Kit, Borys (October 31, 2013). "Dan Aykroyd, Jill Scott Join James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  9. ^ a b c Fleming Jr, Mike (September 30, 2013). "Tate Taylor Reunites With 'The Help's Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer On James Brown Pic". deadline.com. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  10. ^ a b Kroll, Justin (October 23, 2013). "'Walking Dead' Actor 'Lennie James' Joins James Brown Biopic 'Get on Up'". variety.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  11. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (December 20, 2013). "'Cougar Town' Star Josh Hopkins to Play James Brown's Producer in 'Get on Up'". thewrap.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  12. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (March 13, 2014). "Janina Gavankar Joins 'The Mysteries Of Laura', Brandon Smith In 'One Big Happy'". Deadline.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  13. ^ a b "Tika Sumpter Cast In James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". deadline.com. November 14, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Keith Robinson Joins James Brown Pic 'Get On Up'". deadline.com. November 3, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  15. ^ a b "Mick Jagger-Produced James Brown Biopic Casts 'Nick Eversman' as Mick Jagger". hollywoodreporter.com. November 19, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  16. ^ a b Sneider, Jeff (October 24, 2013). "'Treme' Star James DuMont Joins James Brown Biopic 'Get on Up'". thewrap.com. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  17. ^ a b "Kirk Bovill Tapped for James Brown Biopic, Get On Up". pr.com. October 30, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  18. ^ Sepinwall, Alan (April 30, 2014). "Set Visit: Get On Up team promises a James Brown biopic done right". Hitfix.com. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  19. ^ "MASTERCLASS: AAKOMON "AJ" JONES INSTRUCTIONAL PT 2 [DS2DIO". YouTube. October 26, 2012. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  20. ^ http://www.cinemareview.com/production.asp?prodid=18492
  21. ^ https://www.youtube.com/user/codielwiggins
  22. ^ Hayden, Erik (August 29, 2013). "James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up' Gets October 2014 Release Date". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  23. ^ A. Obenson, Tambay (September 17, 2013). "Casting Call For Universal's James Brown Biopic - Actors, Musicians, Extras..." indiewire.com. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  24. ^ "Might Taraji P. Henson Be Playing Tammi Terrell In 'Get On Up,' The James Brown Biopic?". indiewire.com. November 18, 2013. Retrieved December 23, 2013.
  25. ^ "Disney's Brandon Mychal Smith to Portray Little Richard". Btscelebs. December 9, 2013. Retrieved July 20, 2014.
  26. ^ a b "Extras needed in Jackson, MS for the James Brown biopic 'Get On Up'". onlocationvacations.com. December 27, 2013. Retrieved December 27, 2013.
  27. ^ a b ""Get On Up" Call for Film Extras". jacksonfreepress.com. January 6, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  28. ^ "'Get On Up', the James Brown biopic filming in Natchez, Mississippi". onlocationvacations.com. November 4, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  29. ^ "Filming slated to wrap today on 'Get On Up' film". natchezdemocrat.com. December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 22, 2013.
  30. ^ "Filming for 'Get On Up' ongoing in Jackson". miamiherald.com. January 13, 2014. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  31. ^ Davis, Edward (March 13, 2014). "A New Trailer & Photos Of James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". indiewire.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  32. ^ McNary, Dave (March 13, 2014). "James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up' Gets First Trailer". variety.com. Retrieved March 14, 2014.
  33. ^ Hughes, Jason (May 20, 2014). "Chadwick Boseman Overcomes Family Struggles in New Trailer for James Brown Biopic 'Get On Up'". thewrap.com. Retrieved June 2, 2014.
  34. ^ http://abcnews.go.com/.../movie-review-chadwick.../story...
  35. ^ http://baltimorepostexaminer.com/james.../2014/08/01...
  36. ^ http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.../get-on-up-review_n...
  37. ^ Rotten Tomatoes, "Get On Up (2014). Accessed July 31, 2014.
  38. ^ http://www.metacritic.com/movie/get-on-up
  39. ^ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=getonup.htm
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