MovieChat Forums > Get on Up (2014) Discussion > They pick the wrong actor!

They pick the wrong actor!

posted 10 years ago by BIGERN52
66 replies | jump to latest

Ok, love me some JB I attend his concerts in the 70's when he was in his prime. He had style and great showmanship that was felt in the audience. His show's was a three hour marathon of music and dance at it's best, that keep you on your feet. It takes a great musician and ton of charisma to do that night after night as JB did for his audience.
I'm telling you this actor didn't hold me for two minute of a promo he is uninspiring. He was just reading lines there was no James Brown to be found in this performance. He will be the reason this movie will sink. Look at the movie "Ray" I love RC he was one of the greats. His music and talent was universally admired, but it was Jamie's performance that made that movie bio spectacular. This actor is good but not special he was flat in "42". I think he will be just okay in this as well.

[–] macabre_madness 9 years ago

I think the casting and the writing was off. I love Tate Taylor but this movie made me hate James Brown.

[–] slipjohn1 9 years ago

Maybe you were a fan of a DIFFERENT James Brown?? This guy played him very well. As for people wondering about him being hard to understand or the jumpiness of the film, Eddie Murphy made it quite clear years ago that you can't understand James. As for the style of movie and James talking to the camera, this isn't just a biopic, it's HIM telling the story. Remember Princess Bride when once in a while we would wind up in the kid's room listening to the story? Same idea. The movie is good and I'm not a huge fan, but James was great and this movie is pretty good

[–] jellric 9 years ago

I admit I was a bit skeptical of Boseman pulling this off, but after seeing his performance I can't picture anyone else portraying James Brown. He nailed his speech patterns and body language. Dancing? It was good enough. Hell, no one is James Brown in that department. But I think you're dead wrong.

That scene near the end where he's walking through the darkened corridor to the stage and he's probably in his sixties or seventies...when you see that sillouhette, I though I was watching James Brown. Indistiguishible. And it gave me chills actually.

But sometimes we revere an historical figure so much, we can't accept anyone -- no matter how great -- portraying them. I think that's the case unconsciously with you.

[–] AlStanlee 9 years ago

Chadwick Boseman's performance was great!

[–] monstermayhem32 9 years ago

I would say that Chadwick captured the mannerisms of James Brown quite well.

[–] kmc-4 9 years ago

While I agree with that, I think he was miscast. They definitely could have picked someone who was a better fit. But Boseman did knock it out of the park.

[–] carjones51 8 years ago

He sure did! Great movie!

[–] vigcyn-665-195614 9 years ago

I just saw the movie on HBO. Boseman was phenomenol. It's outrageous that he wasn't nominated for an oscar. I am a huge James Brown fan, too. I was in my teens during the 60's.

[–] RelpScooby 9 years ago

I saw it on HBO a few weeks ago too.

Thank you GODDDDDDDDDD, it wasn't boring and it wasn't as depressing as Ray.

This movie is beyond under-rated. The way he pulled it off, I had to keep comparing the "real GodFather of Soul" compared to someone re-enacting him.

ONLY issue I had was 1 thing and YEP over the years I could never ever stand her and her music and acting. To me allllllllllllways she sucked and her goofy lookin' face = Jill Scott. Hell may freeze over, but I will never stop hating her.

Sue me for talking about her

[–] fede_4488 9 years ago

I didn't find him convincing. It was more of an impersonation than great acting