... a glimpse into the kind of man Cassius Clay became, and why

Rating: 7/10 (26 December 2001)

Two actors have the talent and focus to pull off Mohammed Ali: Will or Denzel. Will did it, and superbly. He will be nominated.
If you love boxing and digging deep into the fabric of a complex character  this is the film for you. 165 minutes flew by for me. It's not Rocky; it's not a typical sports movie. It's a glimpse into the kind of man Cassius Clay became, and why. No matter what `life path' one takes, there are toll booths along the way. This film puts you there, in those booths, for better and for worse as Ali career unwinds.
The relationship with Howard Cossell (Jon Voigt  Nomination!) is dissected with strategic snapshots from their time together. Angelo Dungee is passively presented until an interview just prior to the Rumble in the Jungle. Then we discover less is more' as Ali describes the bond he has for the man in a single, well-timed sentence. Likewise, we see Ali at home  Before During and After fame hits.
The best advice to Ali came from John Lennon. Paraphrasing, `When it gets real, that's when it really gets unreal.' See the film and that line will drop right into place for you. 7 / 10.