“You're not supposed to be so blind with patriotism that you can't face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who says it.”

—-Malcom X

This is the story of one of the most deeply misunderstood and controversial figures in American history. From his beginning as a small time gangster and pimp, all the way to his ascension as one of the most important black leaders of the 20th century.

Denzel Washington will drop your jaw and give you goosebumps in this film. Sometimes an actor is so good in a biography that it seems almost like possession (think Val Kilmer in The Doors). There were times in this film that my brain became so immersed that I was simply watching Malcolm X. I will go so far as to say that this is one of the brightest and best performances in film history.

Many in the film industry didn’t seem to want this film to be made properly. This film was shut down in post-production when they went five million over budget. Warner Bros wanted Lee to shoot the Mecca scenes on the Jersey shore. Of course, Lee refused to do that.

Both Lee and Washington deferred their salaries. You heard that right—Denzel wasn’t even paid for this film.

Spike Lee’s celebrity friends saved this film—Prince, Oprah Winfrey, Janet Jackson, Michael Jordan and Bill Cosby (still, fuck you, Bill Cosby) all kicked in cash to make this film. 

Spike Lee’s direction here is just perfection. From the early days of Harlem, all the way to Malcom’s final fate in that New York ballroom—Lee remains confident and focused. That  Spike Lee double dolly shot where Denzel floats to his fate gave me goosebumps.

It would be criminal if I didn’t mention Angela Bassett’s excellent turn as Malcom’s wife Betty. It’s impressive and strong. 

Astonishingly, Denzel was completely robbed of the Academy Award for best actor that year. Al Pacino won for Scent of a Woman. Yep, the Academy thought the “hooh-ah!” guy was the better performance that year. Pacino is easily the same caliber as Denzel as an actor, but those performances are not equal in any way. 

This is an important film. We need heroes like Malcolm more than ever in America. 

Highly recommended and essential. 

Note:

Spike Lee was bullied into removing the Minister Louis Farrakhan’s name from this story and film.  Lee was threatened. It’s important to note that he was very much one of the people responsible for Malcom’s murder.