Review – Malcolm X

When IFC last showed this movie, I turned it on thinking I might follow it loosely while I took care of some housework in my living room and kitchen. After all, I thought, it’s three and a half hours long, which meant I could accomplish a lot without worrying about switching discs or surfing away from commercial breaks. Fortunately for me – and unfortunately for my vacuuming and dish washing – I swiftly found myself wrapped up in Spike Lee’s exceptionally compelling dramatization of Alex Haley’s biography of the famous civil rights leader. Denzel Washington turns in a fine performance in the lead, aided at least a little by the slight resemblance to the man he portrays. Even if this wasn’t a fascinating film (and it is), it would be worth it just for the unflinching look at the last few years of Malcolm X’s life, particularly the Mecca sequences filmed on location (the first time an American film crew has been allowed to shoot footage for a narrative movie within the Muslims’ holy city). Clearly you’ll have to set some time aside to make it all the way through, but your commitment will be thoroughly rewarded. Worth seeing