powerful portrait

Rating: 9/10 (28 October 2007)

Spike lee's best film. A powerful and insightful screen biography of the controversial-and often misunderstood black Muslim leader of the 60s.Washington is absolutely brilliant in the title role. Bassett, another fine actress is good as his wife, but she really doesn't do too much in a role that was underwritten.Al Freeman makes a fine Elijah Muhammad, first as Malcom's tutor and mentor until his break with him after he finds out he fas fathered illegitimate children.The film deals honestly and intelligently with the aspects and times of the civil rights struggle of the era. It really does not gloss over anything to present the facts they occurred during this recent-and shameful period of our history.Washingington, one of Americas best actor is thoroughly convincing and believable in the role.We get to see how-and why he went from a small time criminal, through prison and his rebirth as the controversial leader.Rest of cast is uniformly fine with several activists -like Al Sharpton and William Kuntsler in "cameo" roles. In its broadest sense, it also can be viewed as an American success story. The only things that work against the film are the opening scenes of an American flag burning and the Rodney King beating. The closing scenes features school children saying "I am Malcolm X" al la the ending of "Spartacus". Maybe Lee is just rubbibg our faces in these scenes, but they are unnecessary. They also tend to add an amateurish touch to what essentially is a fine film.My 9 star rating is based upon this. A film EVERYONE should see- and discuss.