Hoping to emulate the success of last year’s Straight Outta Compton, Don Cheadle’s directorial debut Miles Ahead is the latest in a string of biopics featuring prominent black musicians. Rather than charting the highs and lows of the hugely influential American jazz artist’s career, the film apparently focuses exclusively on Davis’ comeback in 1979 after a five year hiatus.
Ewan McGregor plays journalist Dave Brill, who reluctantly becomes involved in Davis’ attempts to steal back a missing tape of important session music. Judging by this trailer, the film looks to be a frantically paced romp with Cheadle a perfect fit as Davis – although we’ll have to wait and see if he can deliver some convincing musical performances too.
Miles Ahead is set to receive its European premiere at the Berlin Film Festival this month before hitting cinemas in April. We’re eager to see what such a seasoned on-screen presence will bring to this story of a true musical innovator both in front of and behind the camera.
Miles Ahead is released in the UK 22 April.
Published 4 Feb 2016
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