Malcolm X

A fascinating illumination of one of American history's most influential, charismatic and complex individuals, "Malcolm X" has a raw, passionate power steeped in Spike Lee's sweeping, evocative direction and the towering performance of Denzel Washington in the lead, who throws himself into the role of Malcolm X so completely it's incomprehensible any other actor could do a better job.

"Malcom X" (disponível no Mubi/Looke), uma obra-prima do Spike Lee, é daqueles filmes necessários para se compreender a história do povo preto pós-escravidão, cujo tema se imiscui a outras identidades importantes, notadamente a masculinidade, a religião e a política. Denzel Washington pode ser visto interpretando o ambicioso traficante Macrinus, cujo lobby na politica romana vai exigir do veterano imensa versatilidade na atuação, seja pela sua ambição e pela busca por poder, seja pelo desejo subversivo e refinado aos gladiadores. Em "Malcom X", Denzel também garante uma imersão impressionante do personagem, desde sua fase "alienada" às questões políticas em que crescera, até a fase em que irá desabrochar para as questões mais urgentes do povo afro-americano, misturando valores religiosos e ainda uma influência patriarcal do homem negro. Com tanta referência e temas importantes, o filme consegue equilibrar bem e contar a sua história sem se perder, mostrando um homem multifacetado (incluindo defeitos). Esta composição de personagem tem uma construção muito orgânica e coesa, baseada na autobiografia do Malcom mas também conta com o olhar sempre certeiro do diretor Spike Lee, e participações mega especiais, como do Bobby Seale (cofundador dos Panteras Negras) e de Nelson Mandela. Liderando a "Nação do Islã", Malcom reúne tudo aquilo que causa frio na espinha do conservadorismo americano: a negritude, o islamismo, o discurso afrontoso e irascível (muitos apontariam o contraste com Martin Luther King, eu diria que são formas complementares de resistência). E quando esse discurso vai pelo campo político e da economia, amplificando seu ruído, sua vida seguirá em estado de alerta, com um Denzel Washington entregando toda essa atmosfera pelo simples olhar, em pequenos detalhes.

Denzel Washington's performance as the the controversial Malcolm X is very charismatic and smart. Spike Lee's biopic is very unique in a lot of departments.

In Spike Lee's epic tale of legendary civil rights leader Malcolm X, he successfully creates one of the most provocative, disturbing, but enlightening biographical dramas I've ever gotten the chance to watch. A film that is not only a way for African-Americans everywhere to rightfully embrace their heritage, but a film that gives people of all creeds, races, and ethnicities a chance to realize that we can live in perpetual harmony with one another. The movie is anchored by arguably one of the most moving, dynamic, and emotional biographical performances thus far - Denzel Washington's Malcolm X. Washington gives such a diverse and vivid portrayal of the man. From his troubling days as a misunderstood youth, to his successful moments as a rising voice within the Nation of Islam, to his final days as an enlightened, reformed human being, Washington depicts every moment to a sharp and polished degree. Every technical aspect of the movie is executed to a near perfect degree. Whether it's the camerawork, the lighting, the sets, or the score, Spike Lee successfully manages to use every one of the aforementioned factors to add to the film's thick mood. "Malcolm X" is a drama that is long, yes, but it is necessary for everyone to see. For the rise and fall of this young man is not only complex and tragic, but it's unbelievably inspiring.

suffering for attaining an uneven and imbalanced state of peace.. Malcolm X 2 And A Half Out Of 5 Malcolm X is a character driven feature that focuses on justifying the characters rather than rechecking the material twice or even a clock for that matter. The journey of the protagonist depicted in here is a bit overstretched and not elaborated which comes off as a bit downer but since there is enough concrete material to feed the audience throughout the course of it, one can easily neglect it. It is short on technical aspects like cinematography, background score, art design, sound department and editing although is rich on costume and production design. The writing follows a rudimentary process of a rigid structure that is extracted directly from the textbook, it lacks maturity and smarter approach. The screenplay by Arnold Perl and Spike Lee is effective and creates a greater impact than anticipated among the viewers but unfortunately it also lags a lot. Spike Lee; the screenwriter and director, has done a tremendous work on executing the script on screen and it is undeniably Lee's feature as he speaks volume in every frame. The performance objective is taken hold by Denzel Washington with conviction and he does carry it all on his shoulder with head held high for around 200 minutes. Malcolm X is a process of suffering for attaining an uneven and imbalance state of peace that results in so latter, that the audience barely cares about the outcomes for they are having a time of their life encountering just the process.