7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stunning Performances, and a poignant life story, 19 Feb 2008
This review is from: Malcolm X [DVD] [1993] (DVD)
This tells the story of Malcolm X, one of America's foremost figures in the black civil rights movement. The lead role is played beautifully by Denzel Washington, in the kind of charismatic perfomance we have come to expect from him.
Malcolm X is surely one of the most fascinating men in the history of free speech. Going from his boyhood in a racially predjudiced America to his adulthood, involved in crime, and then a stretch in prison, Malcolm is affected greatly by the racism he sees all around him, and then in prison, he becomes even more affected by the teachings of Elijah Mohammed, a Muslim scholar who spreads the teachings of Islam.
Through this, Malcolm becomes involved heavily in making speeches about the racism that black people in America have to endure. It is through one of these speeches that Malcolm meets his future wife, a young Muslim woman played superbly by Angela Bassett.
The speeches of Malcolm are so perfectly true and cutting that they infuriated many. Unfortunately the truth always hurts, and although I disagree with some of his terminolgy, such as 'devils', the points he was making were always incredibly relevant and near the bone. Hence he made many enemies.
Perhaps the greatest irony of all is that a man so often accused of condoning or inciting violence actually never led by the example of being violent, yet tragically died in a violent way. This makes Malcolm's story a very sad one, and his wise words will echo throughout history.
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18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
We Wuz Robbed....., 13 May 2005
which was how Spike Lee was quoted after Denzel didn't win the Oscar for best Actor of that year. I agree, and when you consider that Denzel did win a Oscar for Training Day. you have to wonder what denotes a great performance. This is a MUST-SEE film for people who a)Think that all Malcolm X represented was violence, a history of drug Dealing, ex-con b) That think that people can't change and c) the power of education. It is a long film, but didn't feel that way to me(I saw it twice at the cinema, and was moved to tears on both ocassions) Spike's Best film to date, which so far he has not surpassed.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wouldn't have watched this.., 22 Oct 2007
This review is from: Malcolm X [DVD] [1993] (DVD)
...but a friend leant it to me and I found I had to watch it twice. I didn't know a great deal about Malcolm X, and found this film awesome and inspiring. Spike Lee directs his greatest film, and Denzel Washington gives one of his greatest performances. It is hard not to root for Malcolm, when you see his background - whatever your viewpoint, and on this level Lee delivers this film's punch. Recommended, but a long film.
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