Malcolm X

MOVIE #1,975 • SCORE 9/10 • 09.18.24
SERIES: SPIKE LEE DIRECTOR FOCUS

I was worried when this began because it immediately feels like a standard Hollywood biopic complete with an egregious run-time (close to 3.5 hours) and a big song and dance number opening. But it really gets going when Malcolm goes to prison and I appreciated all the documentary inserts Spike deftly sprinkles in. Denzel is, obviously, great in the lead, but the supporting cast — especially Albert Hall — are every bit the equal. I almost bailed during the first act but I am very glad I didn’t. Biopics of this ilk are tough to nail down and this one is probably as good as they get.

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Malcolm X (sometimes stylized as X) is a 1992 American epic biographical drama film about the African-American activist Malcolm X. Directed and co-written by Spike Lee, the film stars Denzel Washington in the title role, as well as Angela Bassett, Albert Hall, Al Freeman Jr., and Delroy Lindo. Lee has a supporting role, while Black Panther Party co-founder Bobby Seale, the Rev. Al Sharpton, and future South African president Nelson Mandela make cameo appearances. It is the second of four film collaborations between Washington and Lee. It was released on November 18, 1992.