Get on Up

Get on Up is a biographical drama film that tells the story of James Brown, the Godfather of Soul, and his journey from poverty to superstardom. The film uses a nonlinear narrative, following Brown's stream of consciousness as he recalls events from his life in an asynchronous manner, occasionally breaking the fourth wall to address the audience. The film opens in 1939, with young James living in poverty with his mother and abusive father in the backwoods of Augusta, Georgia. His mother eventually leaves and becomes a prostitute, and his father joins the Army, leaving James in the care of his brothel-running aunt. James is fascinated by the shout music at a black church and later fights in a "battle royal" boxing match for the amusement of a white audience. In 1949, 17-year-old James is imprisoned for stealing a suit. While in prison, he meets Bobby Byrd and his gospel group, who perform at the prison. James impresses Bobby with his singing, and Bobby's family supervises his parole. James establishes himself as a lead singer and shifts the group's sound toward R&B. The film then jumps forward to 1955, when James and Bobby sign with King Records and record their first single, "Please, Please, Please". They quickly become successful, but James' personal life is troubled. He marries Velma Warren and they have a son named Teddy but James becomes abusive toward her. In 1962, James and Bobby re-form the band and record the hugely successful Live at the Apollo. After the show, James is approached by his mother who apologizes for leaving him. He wants nothing to do with her but gives her financial support. The film then jumps to 1964, when James upstages the Rolling Stones on the T.A�M.I. Show with his high-energy performance and dance moves leading to tours and recognition. In 1968, during the King-assassination riots break out; James convinces Boston's mayor not to cancel his shows at the Boston Garden while calming the crowd and delivering pleas for togetherness; he records "Say It Loud – I'm Black And I’m Proud", pitching President Lyndon B. Johnson his idea to perform USO shows for American troops in Vietnam. The film goes ahead to show how James suffers several setbacks starting with Ben’s death from heart attack, band issues and investigations from the IRS resulting to several businesses being dissolved whereas Bobby helps him assemble new bands. In 1971, following a concert in Paris, Bobbie proposes doing a second solo album, which James considers betrayal leading to their argument which then results in Bobbie quitting. Unfortunately, Teddy dies in an accident. In 2003, when James visits Stevie Wonder, he learns about forgiveness hence reconciling with his family, making peace with his past, and receiving redemption before his death from pneumonia three years later.

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Some movies that have similar genres and were produced around the same time as Get on Up include Green Book, Newsies, The Dirt, Straight Outta Compton: Director's Cut, Judy, Notorious.

Get on Up was released in theaters on August 1, 2014.