MALCOLM X
A film review by Malcolm Austin
Copyright 1993 Malcolm Austin
Personally, I think the most significant aspect of this movie is the likelihood that, given the discussion about the film and its subject, millions of people will finally learn how to spell "Malcolm." But that's just me.
As usual, Spike Lee the director has far outshone Spike Lee the media twerp. This movie is an excellent portrayal of the continuing evolution of a man's thought. It is marred by a few touches of oliverstonism, such as vague (and unsupportable, from the movie's internal evidence) intimations that the CIA was involved with Malcolm X's death, and a tacked on prologue and epilogue, featuring the Rodney King film intercut with a burning American flag, and, in the most unintentionally horrific scene in modern filmdom, Nelson Mandela lecturing to school children.
But in between these lapses into political dreck, there is a truly outstanding movie. It is testament, I think, to the craft of this film that, despite its three-and-a-half-hour length, I didn't even glance at my watch until almost three hours had gone by. Like other great biographical epics, such as LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, or PATTON, this movie just doesn't seem as long as it is.
Spike Lee has largely muted his style in this movie, so it almost looks like "typical" Hollywood fare. However, there remains evidence of his directorial flare. Most notable is the very different looks he achieves for different parts of the film, as Malcolm X's story unfolds. The flashy Harlem beginning contrasts with the austere prison scenes, and the lush photography of Malcolm's years with the Nation of Islam, and finally the spiritual and almost surreal period of Malcolm's hadj, and the final period of his life afterwards.
Without more research, I can't say how accurate the portrayal of Malcolm X is, but as myth-making, this film is wonderful. It is easily Spike Lee's most impressive accomplishment.
-- =Malcolm Austin==w:(212)703-6134==h:(914)633-3966==maus@fid.morgan.com=====
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