ONE NIGHT IN MIAMI – A Review by Cynthia Flores
On the evening of February 25th, 1964, four sports entertainment and activism icons celebrated one of the greatest upsets in boxing history in a modest motel room in Miami. After claiming the world heavyweight title for the first time, twenty-two-year-old Cassius Clay (Eli Goree), who would soon change his name to Muhammad Ali, got together with three friends. Human rights activist Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), music superstar Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and football legend and emerging action movie hero Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge).
This really happened, which is why this fantastic feature film debut One Night in Miami from director Regina King opens with the slate “Inspired By True Events.” Other than the fact that they ate ice cream and enjoyed an evening of conversation, no one really knows what exactly was said in that room after the famous fight.
The film One Night in Miami, based on the award-winning play of the same name by Kemp Powers, has Malcolm X about to embark on a bold new undertaking. He has arranged the gathering in the hope of winning Clay’s support. As the evening goes on, the four men talk and argue about their roles as celebrities and leaders in the Civil Rights Movement. Malcolm X is challenging them all to be better and do more and step up. It has been fifty years since these trailblazers spoke about racial injustice and what it means to be successful as a person of color. They dealt with the social responsibilities that come with that success. This topic is still as relevant today as it was back in the 60s.
I loved the time capsule that filmmaker Regina King was able to create here. The cinematography of Tami Reiker is lush and pulls you into that era. From the first moment, where we are watching Clay during a fight in England to Sam Cooke bombing at his debut at the iconic Copacabana nightclub. You are rooted in the 60s. And the mostly piano score by Terence Blanchard goes down smooth as a shot of good whisky on the rocks. It lifts the award-worthy performances by the ensemble cast to another level.
Asked what drew her to this project, director Regina King said it was the writing and the parallels between what was going on in 1964 and what’s happening today. She said, “Obviously, the conversation is still going on about the need to stand up and speak out when so much of what Dr. King and Malcolm X were speaking, writing, and preaching about still hasn’t changed.”
I give One Night in Miami a 5-star rating. It is a brilliant bit of filmmaking and will be sure to make the rounds this awards season.
Director: Regina King
Written by: Kemp Powers
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 5 Stars
Running Time: 1hr 54min
Drama
Limited Release: January 8th Theatrical and January 15th Amazon Prime Video
Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge, Leslie Odom Jr., Joaquina Kalukango, Nicolette Robinson, Beau Bridges, Lance Reddick
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
