Director: Don Cheadle.
Whether you're a fan of 'jazz' music or not, you can't escape or deny knowing what/who Miles Davis was. Unless of course, you're of a certain young generation that hasn't discovered him yet. It'll come, and Don Cheadle will help do exactly that with this semi-fictional biopic of the legendary yet destructive great. You can tell Don Cheadle has put his heart and soul into his project, writing, directing and starring himself as the Prince of Darkness. He tells a tall story of Miles Davis during his hermit years in the mid seventies when he rested for five years whilst ignoring everyone, reporters and his contract obligations with Columbia Records. It's not about how Miles Davis came about, it's not about his climb to fame and fortune or his education and early friendships with greatness. It's not about his death, in any way which is refreshing. But it is about a story with attitude, and attitude is something both Davis and this film has as the tag line suggests. The story gives great opportunity in displaying Davis' darker, nastier side and his self-destructive nature which wasn't a big secret. However you might grow to like his bad attitude and being to understand why. Ewan McGregor's cunning yet fictional reporter seems to be the anchor whilst the story flips between flashbacks and he can almost be mistaken as a figure of Davis' imagination, almost like a fight club. "First rule of jazz club..." McGregor does good, and good in not drawing too much spotlight off our star. It's good they have chosen up and coming actors to co-star like Emayatzy Corinealdi, Michael Stuhlbarg (Steve Jobs) and Lakeith Stanfield (Selma). All of them playing exceptional parts. They're certainly people to watch out for. It's brilliant and especially for Don Cheadle's Directorial debut, it's well shot, well paced and edited, it's almost trippy, loaded with snippets of Miles' trademark sound which you might come to appreciate if not already doing so. Just remember, it's not just about the music but more about him. Cheadle has done what James Mangold/Joaquín Phoenix did for Johnny Cash. #socialmusic
Running Time: 9
The Cast: 9
Performance: 9
Direction: 7
Story: 7
Script: 8
Creativity: 7
Soundtrack: 8
Job Description: 8
The Extra Bonus Point: 5 for Don Cheadle, he did good in every aspect.
77% 8/10
