One Night in Miami (2020)

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One Night in Miami was released on January 8, 2021, in the USA. The American film was produced by Video Dialog Inc. The film was written by Kemp Powers. The movie was directed by Regina King. The movie was displaying how Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, and Jim Brown gathered on one night in Miami after the heavyweight boxing final between Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali) with Sonny Liston in 1964[1].

Plot

The Celebration and Gathering of African Americans in Miami on February 24, 1964[2]

On February 25, 1964, Cassius Clay (who change his name to Muhammad Ali later on) just won the world heavyweight championship at the age of 22 by defeating Sonny Liston at the Miami Beach Convention Center. As he celebrates his title, he gathers with Malcolm (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge), and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.) at the Hampton House, a motel in Miami. As they spend their time having fun and drinking ice cream, Malcolm X reminds them that they have the power to change the African American's future. Their fame, speeches, songs, aspirations could power the Black Power movement if they want to fight for African American rights. Remembering the struggle they faced as African Americans, everybody finally has their own resolution to use their power to empower the African Americans and change the future of African Americans for a better future where they have equal rights with everyone[3].

Black Empowerment

The meeting of these four African Americans brought changes to African American history. Malcolm reminds all of them that they have the power to change the prejudice and they have to consider that power if they want to change people's perspective towards African Americans. Jim Brown with his records in NFL has brought admiration from fans across the country. Ali as the heavyweight champion of boxing could change the destiny of African Americans by standing up for civil rights[4]. Malcolm suggests Cooke to left the gospel music for white audiences. He says even Bob Dylan's song "Blowin' in the Wind" brought more civil rights for African Americans than the song that is written by Sam Cooke, the African American singer. As Malcolm says"we are fighting for our lives"[5].

Controversy

As shown in the film, African Americans struggle against racism in the 1960s. Ali was booed by the white audiences while he was fighting in the arena. The same case goes to the music industry where Sam Cooke was hard to make money since the White people tended to ridicule him for being an African American. Not only that, several civil rights activists risk their lives as they got opposition from the government, law enforcement, and some white supremacists. For instance, Malcolm X was under surveillance of the FBI since his voice could lead the African Americans. Several houses where African Americans live were burnt to ashes due to prejudice and fighting for their rights. In the media, Malcolm was described as preaching "a gospel of hate"[6]. Jim Brown, the NFL player, was faced with prejudice as the African American athletes were seen to be in a low position in the American culture. Jim Brown even says to Ali "We’re all just gladiators, Cass, with our ruler sitting up there in the box"[7].

References

  1. One Night in Miami (2020). IMDb. Retrieved January 22 2021
  2. One Night in Miami Variety. Retrieved January 22 2021
  3. Owen Gleiberman. ‘One Night in Miami’ Review: A Quartet of African-American Legends Talk the Night Away in Regina King’s Captivating Directorial Debut Variety. Retrieved January 22 2021
  4. Odie Henderson. One Night in Miami RogerEbert Retrieved January 22 2021
  5. Jake Coyle. Review: In ‘One Night in Miami,’ speculative history sings AP News. Retrieved January 22 2021
  6. Kristy Puchko. One Night in Miami Review IGN. Retrieved January 22 2021
  7. Ellen E Jones. One Night in Miami Review Empire Online. Retrieved January 22 2021