Movie Review: ALI (2001)
Ali (2001)–***
When a man is declared “The Greatest,” it’s hard to believe a single film will do his life justice. Michael Mann’s film Ali comes close. Will Smith stars as the champ Muhammad Ali in Mann’s impressive biopic. Even if Ali doesn’t compare to the larger-than-life persona it’s derived from, the film boasts a cast that will knock you out.
Ali chronicles the life of Muhammad Ali (Will Smith) from his first fight with Sonny Liston to the Rumble in the Jungle. Over the ten-year period, the champ becomes a notable face in the civil rights movement. He lives through the assassinations of friend and Islamic brother Malcolm X (Mario Van Peebles) and civil rights leader Martin Luther King. Three wives enter and leave his life, while friends like commentator Howard Cosell (Jon Voight) and trainer Drew ‘Bundini’ Brown (Jamie Foxx) remain. When Ali is drafted into the Army, he refuses service, is arrested, and battles for his freedom all the way to the Supreme Court. Oh, and there’s some boxing in there, too.
Ali could have been the greatest. With a star the likes of Will Smith and a high-profile director in Michael Mann, this film had the potential of becoming a classic in every sense of the word. The film, however, falls short. Not because of the cast, or the director, or the screenplay, but because of the life the biopic profiles.
Muhammad Ali is a 20th-Century figure whose name will be as unforgettable as Gandhi or Malcolm X. Yet, Ali lacks the same development the epic biopics of those men contained. The film is still very provocative, but the whole film feels like it only grazed the surface of Muhammad Ali’s life.
The hit and miss feel most of the film contains is made worse by two especially long boxing matches; one at the beginning and one at the end. The film opens and closes with boxing and everything in between is just consequential. While Michael Mann makes two guys beating each other look like an art form with his fist camera shots, the matches interrupt the story and make Ali look like he was just a boxer.
While most of the film shows a lot of restraint, the cast doesn’t hold back. Will Smith has established himself as one of the greatest actors of our time with his role as the champ. Surprising, yet poignant, Smith’s performance is as steadfast and as Ali himself. It almost makes up for Wild, Wild West.
The supporting cast is full of tremendous performances and fascinating cameos. Two actors, however, stand out. Jon Voight is near perfection as announcer Howard Cosell. While the make-up is less than impressive, Voight plays the legendary sports commentator like only a veteran actor could; with class and dignity. Co-star Jamie Foxx is extraordinary as Ali’s long-time friend Drew Brown. Yet another surprising performance by a relatively unchallenged actor, Foxx is an emotional pillar in this film. He may seem overshadowed by the Voight’s transformation into Cosell, but Foxx is far from forgettable.
Give this film a little time, and Ali will be the historic film it so tries to be. Once there’s more distance between the events and an audience, the lack of depth won’t matter–if only because “The Greatest” is on film.
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