Malcolm X
3/4
Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman, Jr., Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee
Rated PG-13 for A Scene of Violence, and for Drugs and Some Language
Malcolm X was too important a figure for a film not to be made of his life. Arguably the most influential civil rights activist next to Martin Luther King, Jr., the country would not be the same had it not been for the work of the man.
Born Malcolm Little in 1925, the future civil rights leader did not have a promising start in life. He witnessed racial violence first hand, and his father was murdered. He began his life working for a seedy bookie West Indian Archie (Lindo), then moving to hustling and thievery with his pal Shorty (Lee). After his arrest, Malcolm meets a man named Baines (Hall), who opens his eyes to the pointless existence that he is living. He converts to Islam and starts working for the Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad (Freeman Jr.). Now known as Malcolm X, he becomes a fiery and charismatic speaker, which frightens other NOI members like Baines, and eventually, Elijah Muhammad.
The performances are standout. Denzel Washington is at his best when he's playing electrifying individuals such as Malcolm X. It's a good performance, but there were times when he seems like Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X. It's not the actor's fault, it's just that he's so recognizable. Also good is Angela Bassett, who plays Malcolm's wife, Betty Shabazz. She's good because she's mainly low-key. Albert Hall and especially Al Freeman, Jr. impress as Malcolm's friends turned enemies.
Originally, this film was going to be directed by Norman Jewison, but he was replaced by Spike Lee (sources differ as to why...either it was Spike Lee who asked him and Jewison stepped aside willingly, or he faced pressure to have the film directed by a black filmmaker). Lee directs this with a startling amount of control; the film always looks good and is well-acted. There are some truly inventive shots, like when the camera precedes Malcolm and Shorty strolling along in their zoot suits.
At 3.5 hours, this is a very long movie, although it doesn't seem like it. Actually, it could have used a bit more time (ten minutes or so would have done the trick, or at least another rewrite at the scripting stage). This was Spike Lee's first big budget endeavor, and there are times when it's clear that he struggles to juggle everything. There are subplots that are introduced and/or dropped ineffectively, and the editing is at times suspect as well.
Do I recommend the film? Absolutely. It's flawed, yes, but it is so important, and there is a plethora of good material here.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman, Jr., Delroy Lindo, Spike Lee
Rated PG-13 for A Scene of Violence, and for Drugs and Some Language
Malcolm X was too important a figure for a film not to be made of his life. Arguably the most influential civil rights activist next to Martin Luther King, Jr., the country would not be the same had it not been for the work of the man.
Born Malcolm Little in 1925, the future civil rights leader did not have a promising start in life. He witnessed racial violence first hand, and his father was murdered. He began his life working for a seedy bookie West Indian Archie (Lindo), then moving to hustling and thievery with his pal Shorty (Lee). After his arrest, Malcolm meets a man named Baines (Hall), who opens his eyes to the pointless existence that he is living. He converts to Islam and starts working for the Nation of Islam under Elijah Muhammad (Freeman Jr.). Now known as Malcolm X, he becomes a fiery and charismatic speaker, which frightens other NOI members like Baines, and eventually, Elijah Muhammad.
The performances are standout. Denzel Washington is at his best when he's playing electrifying individuals such as Malcolm X. It's a good performance, but there were times when he seems like Denzel Washington playing Malcolm X. It's not the actor's fault, it's just that he's so recognizable. Also good is Angela Bassett, who plays Malcolm's wife, Betty Shabazz. She's good because she's mainly low-key. Albert Hall and especially Al Freeman, Jr. impress as Malcolm's friends turned enemies.
Originally, this film was going to be directed by Norman Jewison, but he was replaced by Spike Lee (sources differ as to why...either it was Spike Lee who asked him and Jewison stepped aside willingly, or he faced pressure to have the film directed by a black filmmaker). Lee directs this with a startling amount of control; the film always looks good and is well-acted. There are some truly inventive shots, like when the camera precedes Malcolm and Shorty strolling along in their zoot suits.
At 3.5 hours, this is a very long movie, although it doesn't seem like it. Actually, it could have used a bit more time (ten minutes or so would have done the trick, or at least another rewrite at the scripting stage). This was Spike Lee's first big budget endeavor, and there are times when it's clear that he struggles to juggle everything. There are subplots that are introduced and/or dropped ineffectively, and the editing is at times suspect as well.
Do I recommend the film? Absolutely. It's flawed, yes, but it is so important, and there is a plethora of good material here.
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