Malcolm X is a revolutionary piece of cinema directed by one of the most prominent visionaries in film history. Often regarded as one of Spike Lee’s best outputs, the film follows the life of African American activist, Malcolm X (Denzel Washington) and chronicles his rise from turbulent childhood to one of the most prominent human rights activists in history. Malcolm X provides insight into both the personal and professional life of its subject, with director Spike Lee leaving no stone unturned.
It is clear that Malcolm X is a passion project for director Spike Lee. His admiration and determination to bring justice to Malcolm X’s story is evident from the very first shot as we see an American flag burn against a backdrop of historical and contemporary racial practices until the flag has formed an X shape. What makes Lee such a perfect visionary for this film is his fearlessness. Much like Malcolm X himself, Lee has always used his platform to talk about race relations and black empowerment. Through his films, he has given us decades of fully-fleshed characters, including those played by him (Mars Blackmon in She’s Gotta Have It for example). These characters are a stark contrast to the historical racism in cinema where African American characters are reduced to dangerous stereotypes. Lee also cowrote the screenplay with Arnold Perl basing the script on The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Malcolm X and Alex Haley. Incorporating Lee’s signature fast-paced dialogue and reluctance to rest, we are instantly thrust into Malcolm’s world.
In a career that has spanned decades and seen huge range, Denzel Washington hits his peak as the titular character. His portrayal of Malcolm X is vast and layered. Washington embodies the fight and struggle Malcolm X faces throughout his life. Biopics run the risk of becoming Oscar bait with insincere performances that exist solely to win awards. This is not the case with Malcolm X. There is clear passion and heart from the cast and crew which evokes in every minute. The film follows Malcolm X almost exclusively making it an intense and reflective performance. Washington proves himself to be among the greats with his excellent turn.
Angela Bassett is also excellent as Betty Shabazz, later known as Betty X. Bassett can always be relied on to bring a strong and subtle performance. As Malcolm’s public appearances are proving to be popular and controversial, Betty is there as an intellectual and emotional anchor. Commanding the screen, Bassett brings a performance that allows us to see Malcolm’s personal side.
The film has a stellar supporting cast which includes Spike Lee in a delightful turn playing Malcolm’s friend, Shorty. Among the highlights in support are Delroy Lindo and Giancarlo Esposito who are known for their collaborations with Lee. Playing West Indian Archie and Talmadge X Hayer, respectively, these performances are hugely significant to Malcolm’s lifestory. Lindo is fantastic as a gangster who mentors Malcolm as a young man while Esposito is chilling as one of the men who assassinated Malcolm.
With the 4K UHD release, it’s hugely important to discuss the cinematography by Ernest Dickerson. A testament to Dickerson’s work is how refined and elegant the use of lighting is, especially in the first half of the film. The audience is aware of a wider world beyond Malcolm and yet the camera seems intensely transfixed on him. This means the audience is truly seeing the world through Malcolm’s eyes.
Malcolm X marks the second collaboration with Terence Blanchard who provides an exceptional score. Much like the film itself, the music provides a constant backdrop filled with jazz-infused pieces. Blanchard’s use of trumpet echoes the yearning and struggle Malcolm X is faced with. Most of the pieces are tinged with sadness, as though Blanchard is foreshadowing the inevitable outcome. From the impactful “Opening Credits” to the tender choral “Black & White”, Blanchard’s soundtrack for Malcolm X matches the intensity of Lee’s direction.
Malcolm X could arguably be seen as Spike Lee’s magnum opus. Spanning 202 minutes, the film is a departure from Lee’s previous offerings such as Do the Right Thing. Boasting his largest budget to that point, Malcolm X showed that Lee was more than capable of handling an epic feature that allowed him to expand on his signature aesthetic and writing. What makes Spike Lee such an effective filmmaker is not only his distinct style and approach to directing, but the fearlessness in his artistry. Simply put, Lee has earned his place as one of the most important directors in cinema history.
Malcolm X 4KUHD is available to buy 29th July 2024.
