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Country: united_states

Year: 2020

Running time: 110

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10612922

Chris says: “It has a wish-fulfillment premise probably better suited to the stage (from which it’s adapted) than the screen, but Regina King’s assured directorial debut mostly overcomes the occasionally clunky dialogue through the sheer force of its four leads, especially Leslie Odom, Jr’s effervescent Sam Cooke and Kingsley Ben-Amir’s multi-faceted Malcolm X (maybe as good as Denzel’s, though I haven’t seen the Spike Lee film in decades.) 3.75 cats

 

Bob says: “Regina King’s directorial debut brings Muhammad Ali (still going by Cassius Clay at the time), Malcolm X, Same Cook and Jim Brown together to celebrate Ali winning the championship. Feels a lot like a stage play, as most of the film takes place in a motel room, and sure enough, the screenplay is based on a play by the same writer.”

 

Michael says: “As I am not a fan of historic films or biopics, this one had a lot going against it. I was hopeful, as it was directed by Regina King, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me. I lost interest fairly quickly, and it was difficult for me to stay with the film, although I did finish it. ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI imagines a fictional evening spent with a historically significant gathering, Cassius Clay (not yet Muhammed Ali), Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown. The four gather together at a hotel in Miami after Clay defeats heavyweight champ Sonny Liston in 1964. Expecting a celebratory party, Cooke and Brown arrive at Malcolm X’s hotel room to find it just the four of them. Clay is about to convert to the Muslim faith and take on his new name, and Malcolm puts the hard press on Sam Cooke to do something more with his talents than try to please white audiences. The film is based on a 2013 play by Kemp Powers and is based on an actual meeting.

“I am struck by how different theater and film are as artistic mediums. It’s possible I would have enjoyed this story as a play, seeing the four actors, live and conveying the ideals and energy of these four historic characters. On film, it was ponderous, preachy, over-the-top and flat at the same time. I grew tired of the overblown speeches, and with most of the action taking place in one room, the film suffered from its staginess — a criticism I usually dislike, but it’s very appropriate here. The acting is fine, and I was especially taken by Aldis Hodge’s Jim Brown. Not being a football fan, I didn’t know who Jim Brown was, but I was taken by the actor’s gravity and presence. Perhaps the most grounded of the four characters, Hodge brought a quiet intensity and maturity to the role. I enjoyed him in 2019’s CLEMENCY as well. Sadly, his performance did little to improve my enjoyment of ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI. 2 cats
One Night in Miami

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