On February 25, 1964, four prominent Black American men meet at the Hampton House Motel in Miami: Cassius Clay (before he changed his name to Muhammad Ali), Malcolm X, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke (played respectively by Eli Goree, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Aldis Hodge, and Leslie Odom Jr.). They meet on the day of Clay's boxing match against Sonny Liston for the world heavyweight championship. Various alliances and conflicts arise as each man is facing a transition in his life. The film is based on the fictional play (based on a real event) by Kemp Powers who also wrote the screenplay.
Director Regina King does a superb time capsule recreation of the mid-1960s while the inner and outer conflicts of the main characters perfectly reflect the early stages of revolutionary times that were brewing and building.
The conflict that stands out the most is the one between Malcolm and Cooke. Activist Malcolm believes Cooke's songs don't reflect the troubles of Black Americans which might be unfair as Cooke struggles to maintain success in a field where his race places him at a disadvantage. To the film's credit, it is easy to see both sides in this argument.
The performances fit perfectly in this great story: Hodge playing a football great considering show business stands out in the film's first scene when he seems to be having a congenial visit with an acquaintance that turns shockingly sour; Ben-Adir shows occasional shyness and vulnerability as the powerful activist who is experiencing trouble in his life; Goree also shows a quieter side of the renowned boxer but the well-known bombast shows during press conferences; and Odom easily shows the inner conflicts of the great singer while being at his best with the closing song, "A Change is Gonna Come".
A great reflection on history and more importantly, a great movie. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Screenplay by Kemp Powers (based on his play)
Director Regina King does a superb time capsule recreation of the mid-1960s while the inner and outer conflicts of the main characters perfectly reflect the early stages of revolutionary times that were brewing and building.
The conflict that stands out the most is the one between Malcolm and Cooke. Activist Malcolm believes Cooke's songs don't reflect the troubles of Black Americans which might be unfair as Cooke struggles to maintain success in a field where his race places him at a disadvantage. To the film's credit, it is easy to see both sides in this argument.
The performances fit perfectly in this great story: Hodge playing a football great considering show business stands out in the film's first scene when he seems to be having a congenial visit with an acquaintance that turns shockingly sour; Ben-Adir shows occasional shyness and vulnerability as the powerful activist who is experiencing trouble in his life; Goree also shows a quieter side of the renowned boxer but the well-known bombast shows during press conferences; and Odom easily shows the inner conflicts of the great singer while being at his best with the closing song, "A Change is Gonna Come".
A great reflection on history and more importantly, a great movie. - dbamateurcritic
RATING: 9 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT: Screenplay by Kemp Powers (based on his play)