The set up of an interview reveal a pretentious and stubborn Miles Davis (Don Cheadle) footage of Miles performing in a TV set behind him, the voice of Dave Brill (Ewan McGregor) set the foundation of a not so pleasant interaction. Miles looks tired and annoyed about everything. Specially the way that his music is called: Jazz. It should be called social music. He rectify Dave, and Miles grab his trumpet and before he start playing we cut aggressively to a car chase, we can hear and see the threat, Dave and Miles trying to escape with Miles Davis latest recorded tapes.
“Miles Ahead” tales the story of the famous musician who became famous for his powerful interpretation of the trumpet, becoming one of Columbia Records biggest success next to Bob Dylan. The plot divides two events in Miles Davis life. After so-called retired for five years, due drugs and alcohol, a missing tape sessions is been haunted by so many people in the music industry. Everyone wants something from that. Including reporter from Rolling Stone Dave Brill (McGregor). This part of the story explore Miles volatile behavior as well his addition. Parallel the film explores his trouble relationship with wife Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi) Miles was a ladies man and the film reflects that in a very suggestive way.
Cheadle’s directorial debut is giving us a very surreal life of the famous musician, with a fabulous film editing and a well produced score inspired by Miles Davis itself. The film lack of production value is my biggest complain. This is the kind of movie were I really want to see a real NY from 1979’ instead of Cincinnati pretending to be NYC. You need that roughness and genuineness of the city of NY to support the aggressiveness and frenzies in style and rhythm of Miles Ahead. That was Miles city and his gasp voice as well his music comes with it.
The film is a great testament of part of his life work, but the conclusion honoring him in is not that powerful, If you not include the final musical act, the film will end flat.
Perhaps Cheadle just deliver the film the way that he wanted, just like Miles Davis did with his music: If you gotta tell a story, come with some attitude
