* * * ½

(The James Brown Story)

Chadwick Boseman is one good actor. Playing both Jackie Robinson (“42”) and soul singer James Brown are roles as different as night and day, but the talented actor has conquered both.

“Get On Up” touches on his life from a poor boy abandoned by his mother (Viola Davis) and father, and raised in a brothel by a woman who inspires him to greatness (Octavia Spencer) to his final years of performing.

The story follows a familiar pattern of a struggling young singer who rises to fame and fortune, only to lose most of his friends and his money, ending up a broken man.

The long (two hours and 15 minutes) movie is told in flashbacks, with Brown occasionally looking into the camera to give his point of view. The young James Brown struggles to be “The Hardest Working Man in Show Business,” occasionally stepping over and abusing his closest friends. We get glimpses of the racism of the ’50s and ’60s and a Boston concert held right after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.

We see Brown’s occasional empathy, which is overshadowed by his abusive behavior and uncontrolled self-centeredness. We also get a glimpse of the unusual relationships that develop between Brown and his best friend, whom he too often disrespects, and the relationship that develops with his Jewish manager (Dan Aykroyd).

And then there’s the music. Boseman perfectly lip syncs Brown’s songs and has his outrageous moves down pat. It is one fabulous performance, whether on or off stage.

While “Get On Up” gives us a close look into the life and career of the Godfather of Soul, it is still sketchy at times, leaving holes in much of his love life and financial affairs.

Having grown up with the music and funky showmanship of James Brown, I found the movie very interesting. I wonder how today’s younger folks will react to the movie.

Rated PG-13, with some sex, drugs and profanity.