Wednesday, April 20, 2022

Movie Review: One Night in Miami (2020). Amazon Prime.

This movie apparently is based on a true event, but with extensive dramatic license, since none of the participants have apparently shared their accounts of what happened (and both Malcolm X and Sam Cooke died shortly thereafter).  

In 1964, Cassius Clay (later known as Muhammad Ali) won his first world heavyweight title in Miami, and had a nighttime get-together after the fight to celebrate with three other black men who were icons of the civil rights era:  NFL star running back Jim Brown, Black Muslim leader Malcolm X, and soul music superstar Sam Cooke.  

The movie, which resembles a stage play in its limited scenery and backdrops, features earnest discussion and arguments between the four young men about the competing pressures, temptations, duties and requirements of their roles as media stars, black male role models, political leaders for their people in the time of civil rights struggle, and individuals with their own personal dreams and aspirations. 

A very thoughtful dramatic exploration of those issues, in the historical context of the times.  Recommended.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Book Review: The Mysterious Case of Rudolf Diesel. Genius, Power and Deception on the Eve of World War I (2023). Douglas Brunt.

During the past year, I've read a number of excellent books that seemed to resonate as part of the backstory to some of the most urgent ...