I really loved this film! Let me just get that off my chest. Movies that take place in a few confined spaces have always intrigued me. One of my favorite films is "Who's Afraid of Virginia Wolf," with Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton. The film takes place mostly in their living room. Or a film like "The Breakfast Club," where we get to explore stereotypical teen types. But it all takes place mostly in the school library. So I can now add "One Night In Miami" to my list.
The film is a fictional account between four incredible Black men. All have carved out a niche in history in their various roles and how they have each contributed as cultural icons. The film focuses on the sometimes very tumultuous friendships between Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X , Jim Brown and Sam Cook. This is the film director debut of one of my favorite creative folks, Regina King. The actors who deliver these roles give intense and riveting performances.
We follow the pensive exchanges between these Black men on the historical night where Muhammad Ali becomes the heavyweight world champion. The film is shot against the impeccably art directed backdrop of the 1960's. We get to see how each character negotiates their way through the civil rights movement and all the other cultural shifts happening at that time. The men challenge each other and themselves on their role and how they represent the black community.
The film allows us to see the incredible pressure it is in trying to simultaneously represent yourself and a community you are linked to and how debilitating that process can be on the human psyche. This is also such a rare opportunity to see Black men be present for each other, in sometimes very vulnerable ways. We also get to experience an African-American period piece story without a white character being centered or sanitizing the trauma of that era.
There is a very important lesson that we learn from the friendships these Black men share. We learn through sometimes very uncomfortable exchanges that maybe there are various ways to successfully express an honor your blackness and maleness. We all contribute to our culture in our own way. It is not a race or measuring cup. Honoring all that make up the intricate fabric that showcases our individual and collective stories.
"One Night In Miami" is a incredible example of the power of exploring historical figures and events through the unique prism of folks from that community. This is already getting Oscar buzz and well deserved. Although I do not think we have to look to mainstream environments to affirm our worth or contribution. But if they are not honored that would be tragic. This is a must see for incredible storytelling!
The film is a fictional account between four incredible Black men. All have carved out a niche in history in their various roles and how they have each contributed as cultural icons. The film focuses on the sometimes very tumultuous friendships between Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X , Jim Brown and Sam Cook. This is the film director debut of one of my favorite creative folks, Regina King. The actors who deliver these roles give intense and riveting performances.
We follow the pensive exchanges between these Black men on the historical night where Muhammad Ali becomes the heavyweight world champion. The film is shot against the impeccably art directed backdrop of the 1960's. We get to see how each character negotiates their way through the civil rights movement and all the other cultural shifts happening at that time. The men challenge each other and themselves on their role and how they represent the black community.
The film allows us to see the incredible pressure it is in trying to simultaneously represent yourself and a community you are linked to and how debilitating that process can be on the human psyche. This is also such a rare opportunity to see Black men be present for each other, in sometimes very vulnerable ways. We also get to experience an African-American period piece story without a white character being centered or sanitizing the trauma of that era.
There is a very important lesson that we learn from the friendships these Black men share. We learn through sometimes very uncomfortable exchanges that maybe there are various ways to successfully express an honor your blackness and maleness. We all contribute to our culture in our own way. It is not a race or measuring cup. Honoring all that make up the intricate fabric that showcases our individual and collective stories.
"One Night In Miami" is a incredible example of the power of exploring historical figures and events through the unique prism of folks from that community. This is already getting Oscar buzz and well deserved. Although I do not think we have to look to mainstream environments to affirm our worth or contribution. But if they are not honored that would be tragic. This is a must see for incredible storytelling!