I came across this movie almost by accident, the poster art seemed fairly uninspiring and I'd certainly not heard of Charley Bradley. The movie opens and I'm wondering if this a mockumentary like Spinal tap about a James Brown impersonator? But as the story unfolds you release there is a whole deeper dimension to the film and indeed Charles Bradley.
Charles is an instantly likable man and the movie chronicles his journey from living in the projects, working as a James Brown impersonator to his debut on stage as himself. Something which he himself finds hard to do after so many years of performing as the Godfather of Soul. Charles is a tour-de-force in himself. He is not James Brown, but his own man and a deeply moving artist in his own right.
The documentary lets us discover who Charles is, where he lives, what his life is and what his dreams are. At it's heart it's a simple story about a struggling singer looking to make it big. But what makes the movie amazing is Charles. A man with a wonderful heart full of love and pain. Charles isn't a polished act or pop idol wannabe, he's a man in his 60's who has had a hard life but hasn't given up on his dream. The movie gives us an insight into how hard things are for some in America, when Charles sings "why is it so hard to make it in America?" you can't help but be moved.
By the end of the movie you will genuinely be touched by the mans struggle and be rooting for him to succeed.
