Mann does the impossible in the best possible way

Rating: 9/10 (12 March 2002)

Mann has tried to do the impossible: to make a bio pic about one of the most charismatic people of the last century. This enterprise, everybody will agree, could have utterly failed so easily. In my opinion, Mann has done the impossible in the best possible way. Mann's movie is flawed, of course. But could anyone have done a better job ? I doubt it.
Will Smith is not Ali, but he does an amazingly fine acting job. He does not ooze Ali's mesmerizing charisma - how could he ? -, but he does bring depth to the role. Michael Mann remains undisputably a director of genius. It does not show for the whole length of the film, but it does in many parts. The cinematography is, as one would expect, magnificent and the boxing scenes are the best I have ever seen.
This is a moving tribute to a remarkable man. Make sure you see it. My score: 9/10