Don Cheadle (Iron Man) directs and stars in a Miles Davis biopic, that rids itself of all biopic clich├®s. Receiving mixed critical reviews, most likely due to its more experimental form and lack of easily processeable biographical information, Don Cheadle has created a film that captures the spirit of Miles Davis, some of what he stood for, his attitude and his music. It makes sense that an unconventional approach, which combines the past and ÔÇÿpresentÔÇÖ of MilesÔÇÖ life, would be able to capture more accurately someone who broke convention and didnÔÇÖt stick to the other peopleÔÇÖs ideas about what an art form should be. Miles Davis constantly innovated, to the detriment of public opinion at times, and Don CheadleÔÇÖs Miles Ahead takes place in the years after the release of some of his most popular and highly regarded records. Davis is an artistic hero at the moment the film begins, but has not released a record for 5 years, living away from the public eye. Journalist Dave Brill ( Ewan McGregor), arrives at his door in an attempt to interview him for Rolling Stone magazine, and after an unusual meeting Brill manages to follow Davis around; through his disagreements with Columbia record company over his comeback tape, into drugs, violence, car chases and into his memories, in an attempt to capture the story of Davis for his journalistic piece.

McGregor is perfect as the journalist, a nerdy aspiring writer who, through the course of his time with Davis, seems to become more himself; his ideals are replaced with an honesty about himself, and an understanding of Davis and his attitudes. Cheadle is unfaultable as Davis, and fits in with the world he creates as the director, fast paced, often very funny; a stylish, but somehow objective look at Miles DavisÔÇÖ life.

At the same time, the relationship between the characters, the complexity of each character, is not overstated. DavisÔÇÖ tumultuous past relationship with Frances Taylor (Emayatzy Corinealdi), his attitude towards restricted unoriginal thoughts, BrillÔÇÖs attitude to himself and his past life, are all subtly implied without lingering for too long, avoiding sentimentality or any loss of realism. From the start DavisÔÇÖ character comes through picking up Brill on his lack of honesty and his attempts to create the legend rather than to say it as he sees it. But at the same time Cheadle allows us to see Davis in the same way, without reverence, honestly, for his brilliance and his flaws. And to see him in this way comes full circle, it validates Davis himself and the way he lived his life.

Review by Beau Beakhouse