Michael Ledo
I am a fan of the music, but never knew much of his life which is told as a flashback which divided itself into two parts: the missing years and a flashback to when he was on top of his game. We see his fall due his marriage emulating that of Ike and Tina Turner. Miles was a big boxing fan with a hip disease and love of cocaine. The flashbacks were easy to follow, we have the later " "fro" period preceded by a more clean cut period. The viewer needs to catch on fast because it flashes back and forth at irregular intervals, sometimes just a matter of seconds as we watch him attempt to steal his music back for much of the film.The film was less of a biopic and one designed to capture the essence of Davis, his hectic unorganized life juxtaposed by his overly organized music. That it did, although I wish they had more of his music.Guide: F-word, sex, and nudity.
ReneWirtz
Miles Ahead is a good movie (8 out of 10), as long as you understand as the viewer that this is not a biopic or biography. Nothing much but peripheral things are based on true events. However, this movie is to try to shine a light on the tight rope the eccentric genius Miles Davis had to walk: spotlight or recluse, fame or art, music or painting, love or lust. Don Cheadle is near perfect as Miles Davis and Emayatzy Corinealdi is a great counterbalance as Miles' muse. I'm unsure of Ewan McGregor's overall arc in this story, although he does play his dubious character with gusto. The music is great, still cool after more than half a century!
rzajac
Lots of user reviews saying "Miles Ahead" ("MA") attempts to elevate filmic cubistic hash to high art... and fails. I don't think he fails.Cheadle made his decisions, and stuck with 'em. He decided to go with a groundwork of a slice of Miles's life during a lost period, punctuated with flashbacks, and the whole thing riven with sudden, jarring, splintered, surreal touches. Worked for me.Other factors. Heard 5h1t said about McGregor, but I think he was pitch perfect... and I figure he took direction well from Cheadle. Though one never knows. Loved Cheadle's direction; warm, direct, honest; and yet also with a touch of caricature here and there.Technically, it's a delight. The colors are intentionally stark and bright, the camera-work is great, the music is great. By now, there's no excuse for the film representation of musicianship not to feel genuine, convincing, inspiring. The edits are expert, the pacing just fine.There are countless moments which showcase a view of Miles as a deeply feeling man. This is a wonderful counterpoint to pop, post-modern, swanky press representations of Davis as a guy with a lizard soul. I love that Cheadle did that. There's a moment when Miles lovingly caresses the shoulder of his pianist as he walks by (Evans?). The lovingness and respectfulness of that moment filled my own heart. It's kinda funny: I often hold myself back from movies that are trying to reach out to push my buttons. There was something about the way Cheadle manages the tone of his portrayal--and that's through the entire movie, not just moment-by-moment--that invited me to open up and feel those moments of connection *with* his Davis.Anyway... Great film product! Lots of fun to watch. Nice balance of menace and connection.Check it out
butthead-60250
This movie was really bad. If you enjoy watching a foul mouthed, chain smoking, violent, self important junkie, then you might find this enjoyable. I found it a revolting attack on the eyes and ears. And how did Ewan McGregor get roped into doing this? Roles must be getting mighty hard to come by these days. There were a LOT of better black musicians who would be worthy of a biopic. Like Robert Johnson, Blind Blake, Blind Willie McTell, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Big Bill Broozy or Blind Willie Johnson. But, no, Cheadle had to make one of an angry trumpet player who was mad at the world. And he wasn't even that great of a trumpet player. Herb Alpert is hands down a much more talented player.
AD
