Miss Sharon Jones! (2015) User Reviews

a talented and inspiring lady

[ferguson-6 · 7/10 · 24 July 2016]

Greetings again from the darkness. Being described as "the female James Brown" is a double-edged sword. On one side, the talent and stage presence must be obvious. On the other side, the burden of expectations that can never be eclipsed is always present. Soul/Funk/R&B singer Sharon Jones doesn't much care about any of that … and in this documentary we witness both her strength in life and her powerhouse performances on stage.

Filmmaker Barbara Kopple is a two time Oscar winner (Harlan County USA, 1976 and American Dream, 1990) and here she presents not so much a music or concert documentary, as an intimate look at how a person can be inspired and driven by music to fight through life's challenges – and even cancer. In 2013, Miss Jones was diagnosed and much of the film follows her through head-shaving, chemotherapy and the battle to regain her voice and strength.

Born in North Augusta, South Carolina, Sharon was raised in Brooklyn. Her background was anything but privileged, and as an adult she spent years working as a Corrections Officer at Rikers Island, while continuing to sing in her spare time. A record producer once told her she was 'too black, too fat, too short' to make it, but she just kept singing … releasing her first album at age 40.

Sharon's spirit and energy are the core of the story here as even after her cancer diagnosis, she carried the pressure of needing to get back to singing and performing so that her band members in The Dap-Kings could earn a living and feed their families.

Her NYC comeback is impressive and life-affirming, but the highlights are clips of her earlier stage performances … and the most incredible in-church performance you are likely to ever witness. In 2014, she won her first Grammy for "Give the People What They Want", and Ms. Kopple's film shines a spotlight on an incredible talent and spirited lady who deserves much more than to have a cult following and be "underappreciated". Perhaps the film will open some eyes, ears and hearts.

Interesting character study

[cherold · 7/10 · 11 August 2016]

At first, it's difficult to figure out what exactly Miss Sharon Jones is. We're told right away that in spite of adversity she has built a solid career for herself, so at first it seems like the movie will be about that. But once we get past seeing her sing a little, we learn she is fighting cancer, and it becomes clear after a bit that this will be the focus of the movie. It's an odd, unfocused start to what becomes, over time, an interesting portrayal of an interesting woman.

We never really do learn much about how Jones built her career; just bits and pieces of that story pop up. But we do see her positive attitude and her hard-working spirit, and we see the intense loyalty of those around her. We also see how devastating it is for a band when its leader goes out of commission.

The movie has some wonderful moments, such as Jones singing in a southern church or the way she moves from backstage trepidation to overpowering, joyous life on stage. But the movie also feels like an odd animal - not quite storytelling, not quite cinema verite - that makes it feel like you really needed to go into the movie knowing more about Jones than I did (I saw the movie because my girlfriend is a huge fan, and was, in fact, at the comeback concert near the end of the movie).

Still, overall I did enjoy this.

We will miss you so much sharon

[midnight_cinephile · 10/10 · 2 December 2016]

Massive respect to the folks involved in making this wonderful film We are selflessly afforded an inside look at the strength and courage of this dynamic,inspirational woman's life. I feel lucky to have seen Sharon and the Dap kings many times and this film just reinforces her legacy and legend. Having been around several cancer afflicted people in my family this documentary hits home for me on multiple levels. This inside look at the Boldest Soul Sister is real,fearless,poignant,hopeful and gracious. Thankfully someone realized that Sharon is a national treasure and a portion of her life needed to be documented. What an incredible gift she had! Sharon made the world a better place. Her infectious high energy,incredible one of a kind voice and legendary stage presence are laid bare for all to see. This is the real thing,and it is something we will not see the likes of any time soon. GENUINE Rest in Paradise Sharon ,we love you and miss you already. Amen Sister.

Me and Miss Jones...

[ccorral419 · 10/10 · 10 January 2016]

Two time Oscar Winner Director Barbara Kopple (Best Documentary Feature 1991 "American Dream" and 1977 "Harlan County, U.S.A.") introduces the viewer to the amazing singer/performer Miss Sharon Jones. Compared regularly to the stage presence of James Brown, Miss Jones is a powerful soul singer who fronts her band the Dap-Kings. Only recently recognized with a Grammy Nomination "Give the People What They Want," Jones has been on the music scene (since the 1990's) building a career and following that many may not know of. To correct this oversight, Kopple does an excellent job introducing the music audience to Miss Jones, taking us back to here early days with the Dap-Kings to and through her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. While chronically her quiet raise to fame, "Miss Sharon Jones" also takes the audience into the world of responsibility she must carry as the lead singer of the Dap-Kings. It is her presence and voice that not only leads the band together, but she understand she is also responsible for putting money on the table for her fellow bandmates and family. This pressure to perform, while undergoing chemotherapy, is heart breaking and only a struggle a strong individual like Miss Jones can endure. This film is entertaining, enlightening, heart-breaking and full of terrific music that has long been overlooked. "Miss Sharon Jones" is documentary music film making at it's best. I went right out and purchased her Grammy Nominated Best R&B Album.

Uplifting and Inspirational Documentary of An Amazing Performer and Individual

[eric262003 · 9/10 · 23 January 2022]

Music is universal and has an appeal in all areas and mood that tug strings through any kind of emotions. It can reach out to us when we're in a joyous occasion, it might reflect on us when we're sad. It could also bring moments of nostaligia through storytelling of instances from long ago and issues that might shape our future. It could put you in a party mood, or cheer you up when you're feeling down. Or just give you that sudden urge to get up off your chair and dance to the rhythm of your choice. Without music, society would be lost. So it's time we all got behind our singers and musicians for giving us the gift of music, to reflect, inspire and educate and to just simply soothe our souls.

One particular individual made that happen as we pay our respects to the legacy of rhythm and blues sensation, Miss Sharon Jones. Though she was not as highly publicized as other singers and musicians, there is plenty to admire about Sharon Jones. Aside from being a late-bloomer in the music industry, Sharon, who fronted her band The Dap-Kings, she kept the soul legacy alive through her raw energy, enthralling voice and her vibrant charisma, that drew huge crowrds whereever she and her band toured. Though she can be compared to likes of soul singers like Aretha Franklin or James Brown, in the end, she really wanted to do her own thing, and boy did she ever.

Though the documentary "Miss Sharon Jones!" could've easily chronicled the lifelong journey into her illustrious career in the music industry, instead director Barbara Kopple decided to emphasize more towards her struggles later in life starting in 2013 when she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer which has great levels of heartbreak, but also a positive message of hope. Aside from her cancer struggles, we follow her as she's staying in the home of her nutritionist. We see her as she leads her band, who's not fully functioning as they're working on their forth album and having to cancel a tour while Sharon is convalescing from her illness. The physical and psychological strain she's going through is overwhelming to her, but she remains stubborn, but determined and dedicated into getting better so that she can get back on the road even if her health isn't 100%. She doesn't want to just return to touring for the enjoyment alone, she needs to return so she and her band can be paid, because without her, they're financial status isn't very compromising. The band relies on Sharon Jones and the close bond they have with her is just so comfortable and uplifting.

The archives from her past performances could give you a clear depiction of whst her presence on stage was like. Whether she's gyrating like James Brown, or singing her heart out Aretha Franklin, she loves her fans equally as much as the fans love her back. All her life, her soul roots have played a pivotal role that has carried on with her wherever she went. In one scene, while on the road to recovery, she was seen singing Gospel at a Brooklyn Church she attended to when she was young. It's hard to tell if this had any affect on her character or if she's that religious, but it is still a heartwarming scene nonetheless.

And sure it's confusing if the documentary is about Sharon Jones, cancer or a bit of both, we never let that bother us in the very least. Because even through all the treatments and medicines she's taking to stall the cancer from getting worse, you have to realize that the best medicine all along has been her music and the passion she has for it, is essential in keeping it down or at least steady.

The other key component that has helped her in fighting cancer is through the love of her late mother that she had for her and the love that her mother gave back to her. She recalls a time when a Sony executive refused to sign a record deal due to myriad of prejudiced reasons ("too fat", "too old", "too dark", etc.). But one thing Sharon relied on the most was that her mother was always there for her and that's what motivated her to keeping following her dreams. The only time we see Sharon cry is when she talks about her mother and wishes she was there as she's fighting a deadly disease and putting up a good fight.

And sure her performances seen through the clips indicates that she will stumble from time to time as most artists tend to do, nobody's perfect. We feel bad when she messes up her lyrics or when her energy level fizzles out. But there are still genuine moments when she gets stronger and more confident in herself through the later stages of her singing career. Eventually the focus is settled on that aforementioned forth album and she talks about winning a Grammy Award in 2015 and emphasizes on that like it was a check mark from her metaphoric bucket list.

There's more to admire about Sharon Jones than just her being a performer, but as a thoughtful, selfless individual who cared not just about herself, but towards other important people in her life. Though she provides us with great music and vibrant entertainment, it is her heart and her determination that should be the primary component we should look upon her. Sharon never asked to be celebrity or a highly prolific icon. She wanted to reflect upon the world that through all the dark stages that may affect our lives, we shouldn't let these things get the better of us. Find ways to make yourself and others happy, that through all the doubt you face, there's always a sign of hope.

The Real Thing

[jim-75272 · 10/10 · 9 March 2021]

I have to admit that I am biased. I saw her several times and once got to meet her in a way I'll never forget. What I saw on stage was the same person off stage. An incredible human being with a god given talent she never disrespected.

This film only shows a glimpse of who she was and in the throes of a cancer even. Not the best light. However I appreciated the way the documentary presented Sharon. Too often we see an artist shown at their worse or only their phony side but here we get a glimpse of a real person and the passion she had for her music and fans.

A true legend as great an artist as any of the other American Soul and R&B performers. I had always hoped to see her again. Gone too soon but not forgotten. See this movie to see a true great talent show her human side.