A masterpiece

Rating: 7/10 (19 June 2020)

The movie has its task cut out.
Muhammad Ali was a sportsperson unlike any other. He was present at the cross roads of historic events such as civil rights movement, Vietnam war juxtaposed with his boxing successes. He was brash and supremely confident. He was a fanatic in certain religious aspects , but was very liberal while philandering. And Will Smith nails all these parts with stunning brilliance.
The boxing matches bring out the ferocity of the fist fights. The drama, centred around Ali's marriages, his membership in the League Of Islam and friendship with the radical Malcolm X, his legal troubles with the US government, everything gets screentime.
The screenplay doesn't let the narrative lag. For a film made 20 years ago, it feels like a freshly released master piece.
Really enjoyed it. Highly recommended. Streaming on Netflix.