Miles Ahead (2016)

Review

100min

Genre:      Fact-based, Drama, Music

Director:   Don Cheadle

Cast:        Don Cheadle, Ewan McGregor, Emayatzy Corinealdi…and more

Writers:    Steven Baigelman, Don Cheadle, Stephen J. Rivele… more

-Synopsis-

Don Cheadle writes, directs and stars in his unique cinematic portrait of jazz trumpeter and music giant Miles Davis, a stylized biographical drama about a difficult and complicated genius and the demons that shaped him while defining a musical and personal ethos.

There’s been no shortage of music biopics so far this century as the greats of the industry increasingly pass on into legend, some better than others but all seeming to share a limited and rather predictable story arc.

But for his directorial debut, Don Cheadle admirably tries to break the mould and boldly attempt to capture the essence of a musical enigma, most iconic name in Jazz and one of the most influential artists of the 20th century.

The story centres around the “quiet” period of Davis’s career in the late 1970’s when fans, record labels and assorted lurkers awaited new music that hadn’t materialized for 5 years.

Having become the “Howard Hughes” of Jazz; isolated, reviled and revered in equal measure, Davis has to contend with Ewan McGregor’s persistent reporter wanting a story and the rest of the world looking for the scoop on his so-called comeback.

But ‘Miles Ahead’ also features many flashback sequences showcasing the past musical and dramatic personal experiences which shaped the man, executed with enough skill and creativity by Cheadle that they don’t stifle the momentum of the film. The combination gives the movie a ‘Godfather II’ like style with a constantly overlapping past and present… quite the ambitious approach.

This film is a real passion project for Don Cheadle, and despite an impressive directorial debut ‘Miles Ahead’  will most likely be remembered for his tour-de-force central performance.

We’ve seen several music biopics with towering performances in recent years; but beyond the spot-on unmistakable raspy voice, Cheadle’s depiction is more than a convincing impression, and appropriately for the “birther of the cool” this is perhaps the hippest depiction of a music legend in film, with plenty of style and humour to enjoy.

Purists expecting a familiar cradle-to-grave story about the life of Miles Davis according to gospel will likely be disappointed here. Cheadle takes several leaves from the Davis book of improvisation by taking artistic liberties himself with the story, the result at times feels like Martin Scorsese film but the mix somehow works. And given some of the outrageous true stories in the history of Jazz, it’s hardly that far-fetched.

‘Miles Ahead’ is by no means a flawless film and some will no doubt have issues with the themes or the unconventional approach, but Don Cheadle has created his own personal compelling portrait of a complex character here. We for one applaud his refusal to craft a traditional narrative that ties everything off in a bow, and for an entertaining effort at capturing the essence of a highly influential artist, giant of convention-breaking and master of improvisation… in life and music.

The Bottom Line…

No doubt packed with the musical groove of its subject; Don Cheadle’s directorial debut is a bold effort which appropriately breaks music biopic convention in its wild and stylish portrait of an irrepressible artist, reminding Rock n’ Roll and Hip-Hop who the daddy of excessive behaviour is.

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Similar films you may like (Home Video)

Bird (1988)

Forest Whitaker stars as Jazz legend and Sax virtuoso Charlie Parker in director Clint Eastwood’s portrait of an extraordinary career, troubled and ultimately tragic life of a great artist.

Directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Forest Whitaker, Diane Venora and Keith David among others.

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