Miles Ahead Dvd

Miles Ahead is a 2015 American biographical-drama film directed by Don Cheadle in his feature directorial debut, which Cheadle co-wrote with Steven Baigelman, Stephen J. Rivele, and Christopher Wilkinson, which interprets the life and compositions of jazz musician Miles Davis. The film stars Cheadle, Emayatzy Corinealdi, and Ewan McGregor, and closed the New York Film Festival on October 11, 2015. The film takes its title from Davis’s 1957 album.

Cheadle took a free-form approach to the film’s narrative. Skipping around in time, it depicts Davis’ attempts to get his career back on track following a period of inactivity and drug addiction in the 1970s, fictional adventures with a journalist (played by McGregor) who wants to profile him, and his troubled marriage to a former dancer (Corinealdi). The film’s score covers, in non-linear fashion, Davis’ actual recordings throughout his career, beginning with Agharta (1975) before jumping back and forth in scenes featuring Kind of Blue (1959), Someday My Prince Will Come (1961), Bitches Brew (1970), and We Want Miles (1981), among others.

Miles Ahead received mostly positive reviews from critics. Reviewers generally praised Cheadle’s direction and performance, although some were critical of the plot. The film has grossed over $5 million.

Plot

Adapted from Sony Classics

In the midst of a prolific career, Miles Davis (Don Cheadle) disappears from public view for a period of five years in the late 1970s. He lives in isolation while dealing with chronic pain from a deteriorating hip, a musical voice inhibited and numbed by drugs and painkillers, and traumatic memories of his past. A music reporter, Dave Braden (Ewan McGregor), forces his way into Davis’ house and, over the next couple of days, the two men unwittingly embark on an adventure to recover a stolen tape recording of the musician’s most recent compositions.

Davis’ mercurial behavior is fueled by memories of his failed nine-year marriage (1959-1968)[6] to the talented and beautiful dancer Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi). During their romance and subsequent marriage, Frances served as Davis’ muse. It was during this period that he released several of his signature recordings, including Sketches of Spain (1960) and Someday My Prince Will Come (1961). The marriage was marked by infidelity and abuse, however, and Frances was forced to flee for her own safety as Miles’ mental and physical health deteriorated. By the late 1970s, plagued by years of regret and loss, Davis flirts with self-destruction until he finds redemption in his music.

Cast

Don Cheadle as Miles Davis
Emayatzy Corinealdi as Frances Taylor
Ewan McGregor as Dave Braden
Michael Stuhlbarg as Harper Hamilton
Keith Stanfield as Junior
Austin Lyon as Justin
Jeffrey Grover as Gil Evans
Joshua Jessen as Bill Evans
Theron Brown as Herbie Hancock
JT Thigpen as Paul Chambers
David Kettlehake as Cab Driver
Mark Angel II as Driver and Background Pedestrian
Derek Snow as Harold Lovett, Miles’ lawyer
Jon “Swing” McHale as himself
Morgan Wolk as Erica
Mark Turkeltaub as Cop 1
John Griffin as Cop 2
Mike Dennis as Beat Cop