Malcolm X (1992)

This is a lengthy bio-epic of the famed civil rights leader Malcolm X, played by Denzel Washington. It follows the life of Malcolm X from his youth as a jazz era pimp-style care-free criminal, all the way up through his assassination. A ton of material is covered and explained in flashback thoughts and ideas, which at times become confusing and disorienting.
For me, this is the first Spike Lee film I have seen, and I did not really appreciate how he tried to shove his message down my throat. I understand many aspects of the 1960’s civil rights movements, and can garner my own opinions without a film-maker forcing them upon me. I felt that the editing and direction were choppy; case-in-point would be the opening credits showing the Rodney King beating.
I am not sure how true to history this movie was, it had some good theatrical elements, but I only enjoyed it as a history lesson, nothing more. Normally, I fall all over Denzel Washington’s performances, but I could not see past him in this movie. Sadly, and realistically, this film had a ton of anxiety, sadness, and hatred. For three and a half hours, that is a long haul. Only two stars for me on this one.