THE FOLLOWING REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS OF THE DISCUSSED FILM. READERS DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Regina King has been a trailblazing actress for so long that it was easy on board with whatever she’d do next. Little did we expect her to be a director.
PLOT
Based on the fictional play by Kemp Powers, One Night in Miami... focuses on the night of 2/25/64. Activist Malcolm X, singer Sam Cooke and football player Jim Brown attend a boxing event in support of their friend Cassius Clay, who wins the championship against Sonny Liston. The four friends meet up at a hotel to celebrate the victory. Considering this was planned ahead of time by Malcolm and Clay, the latter tells the others that he plans to announce he's publicly joining the Nation of Islam. Since Malcolm is Muslim as well, he has been encouraging him to join for some time. This bothers Sam because he is afraid of the backlash that would occur, as he could lose popularity converting to an organization that embraces anti-white theology. Jim announces he is planning a transition from sports to acting because he got offered a part in Rio Conchos. The others don't think it'll work out because they believe he only got the part because of his popularity as an athlete. Most of the tension within the group goes between Malcolm and Sam. Malcolm is not impressed with Sam's music because he sees him as a sellout pandering to white audiences. Sam himself refuses to believe his case because he feels that his successful career is an inspiration to the black community. Although he wants to represent social commentary within his music, he doesn't think it will make a profit. However, Malcolm points out that Bob Dylan made one before him with "Blowin' in the Wind". The argument ends when Malcolm admits his antagonism to be motivated by personal stress. He is being harassed by the FBI and because of that, he plans to exit the Nation of Islam and start his own Muslim organization, hoping to recruit Clay once he's officially converted. Clay himself is bothered because he felt that he was using him. He does admit that's not the case but this private night ends as paparazzi is just outside the door. As Clay announces his planned conversion, Sam privately tells Jim that he did write a song of social commentary after hearing Bob Dylan's song. The film jumps to a point of time after the eventful night. Clay dons the name 'Muhammad Ali' after his conversion, Jim announces his retirement of playing football to continue his acting career and Sam performs "A Change is Gonna Come" on television. The film ends with Malcolm watching the performance after his house got firebombed, due to leaving the Nation of Islam. We also see a quote from a speech he had before his death, "It is a time for martyrs now, and if I am to be one, it will be for the cause of brotherhood. That's the thing that can save this country".
THOUGHTS
You know I honestly wasn't sure what to expect if you're doing a fictional story about iconic figures. But I think that was what made it special after all this time. This story remains interesting because this time we don't see them as celebrities, but as people. And I think Regina King did a great job reflecting Kemp Powers' perspective of them. At first you think these four are a random group but believe it or not, they were actual friends in their lifetimes. When you realize that, this movie feels like they could have had discussed the contents of what we were shown and that makes it all feel real. Another reason this film will be special in our hearts is because of how it's another message of black excellence. These four men are the perfect example of fighting for the equality that African Americans deserve, which is still a problem to this day. If they were able to fight for their voice to be heard, you can too. While I love the message this film is sending, I gotta admit there were some stuff that bothered me. First off, isn't it dangerous to have the meeting if you think you're being followed? Malcolm was putting his friends at risk as much as he would to his family. And lastly, how did he get the autobiography out of the fire? Considering he carried a gun one hand and one of his kids on the other, I can't help but wonder when did he go back to get it. The second you ignore all of that, than you'll still love this movie for what it is. It's obvious that this wouldn't work at all if the four leads didn't pay it off with their roles. Thankfully, they did deliver with a great performance each, along with such genuine chemistry. Kingsley Ben-Adir easily made Malcolm X his own. This portrayal of him shows the activist as someone who means well but his personal stress made him act out in the manner that put his friendship. I honestly can't blame him for being stressed out on what he was afraid of, but it sucks that his friends, especially Sam got the bad stick. Eli Goree easily nailed it as Clay/Ali. Every time the focus was on him, he succeeded in replicating the same energy the boxer was known for, I almost confused him to be the real deal. When he looks across the room and notices an empty chair, he knows that Malcolm is out for good and he won't part of this journey. I liked Aldis Hodge as Jim Brown because while nailing the athlete's voice, he was able to bring the most peace among the group. Last but not least, Leslie Odom Jr. owned it as Sam Cooke. He succeeded in portraying the artist as the most conflicted of the group, whereas he wants to be vocal on activism but is afraid that the timing will be off. I also feel like he did it best on becoming the character. During the closing performance, it felt like he was on par nailing every single mannerism his counterpart was known for. I was so amazed of that scene in general that it feels like the best acting lesson of the whole movie. Hearing him perform "A Change is Gonna Come" is incredible for multiple reasons: His voice is outstanding and when you see the tears he shed, you knows he's relieved that he did what he wanted to do for so long. And it shows the film tie in together the experience of each lead and the countless listeners since. Odom's song "Speak Now" is also good to hear as the credits roll because it encourages others to let their voices be heard. To wrap up, One Night in Miami... will stand out for being another film that represents friendship and diversity. If you have respect for any of the iconic figures this movie is based on, watch it now.
Comments