"One Night in Miami" | Review and Analysis

2020 - Drama

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One Night in Miami – wow. Initially, as a black woman, I found myself nervous to watch this film due to being tired of movies centered around black trauma and history. Hollywood films have made it appear like all successful black movies need to feature slavery, racism, or historical tales of influential black figures, rather than simply be an everyday story that happens to feature black actors. However, while this film is about past influential black figures, it is told beautifully and uniquely. I couldn’t keep my eyes off the screen due to the wonderful acting, music, and overall writing that allowed viewers to get a sense of these important individuals, while also showcasing a different perspective than one we typically see.

The story didn’t focus on the negative way white people viewed black people during the 1960s but, instead, focused on the relationship these four individuals had with one another while navigating through their lives and careers. It gave personality and stories to these people outside of their skin color, even challenging against the idea that black individuals are supposed to constantly discuss and be advocates against racism and negative stigmas.

The film provides a fictionalized depiction of four men – Malcom X, Muhammad Ali, Jim Brown, and Sam Cooke – while celebrating heavyweight champion Ali’s surprise title win. Tensions quickly arise, however, after X accuses Cooke, a soul singer and songwriter, of pandering to white audiences through his songs, rather than confronting black struggles and creating music that positively impacts the black community. Cooke, on the other hand, refuses to feel guilty for not choosing to protest and make songs about black struggles, believing his success and ability to express himself how he wants within his music is influential enough to the black community.

Malcolm X's Perspective: Change Needed to Come

Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke

Now, the arguments that ensued between these four men were interesting, as they depicted their struggles with trying to enjoy their accomplishments while under the looming reality of black discrimination. X had publicly made himself a black and Muslim activist yet expected those he’s friends with to dedicate their lives and careers to being activists as well. I feel as though that is a reality many during that time period had struggled with because, seeing as it was the early 1960s, segregation between black and white people was a huge pressing issue. Change clearly needed to come, and Malcom X was an individual that dedicated his life to creating an influential difference in the lives of black people.

Moreover, because of his dedication to these huge and “controversial” causes, the immense pressure of being the face of black and Muslim groups is an incredibly stressful feat. His reaction towards his friends was, no doubt, in part because of that stress. During his fight for racial justice, he’s championing for his friends to be able to comfortably live their lives doing what they love, yet he feels like he’s doing it all alone, while they get mad at his requests for help. I understand his passion, I understand his cause, and I’m incredibly inspired by the work he did for the lives of black and Muslim people.

Sam Cooke's Perspective: Black People Aren't Required to be Active Activists

Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcom X

However, I also understand the perspective of, say, Sam Cooke. He was simply trying to enjoy his newfound success in his singing career while having the chance to creatively express himself but had to hear that he was not doing enough to help the black community in the cause of racial injustice. For Cassius Clay, he had just that night won an exciting title that dubbed him a worldwide heavyweight champion yet had to listen to X tell him he’s creating a new organization that will aid the Muslim cause, and he wants Clay to join. It’s no wonder he felt as though his success was being overshadowed and taken advantage of on a night he’s supposed to be celebrating. Jim Brown announces his plans of potentially retiring the NFL and becoming an actor, but X had become frustrated at all the men for not recognizing the other ways they can use their success to advocate for black issues. Again, there is no questioning Malcom X’s impact, as well as the dire need for racial change during that time.

Nevertheless, it’s very hard to exist as a black person without the constant reminders of being black; of black trauma; of black issues needing reform. And sometimes, it’s very nice to have those creative outlets, such as music, boxing, or acting, to take your mind off that troubling reality without always having to be an advocate for change. Some people can dedicate their lives to doing that, while others can’t; and that’s okay. As Cooke was saying, there are other ways to inspire your community and advocate for change that’s not explicitly placing you in the role of activist, which can even simply be just representation and your own success.

Final Takeaways and Conclusions

Seeing black figures achieving accomplishments and performing in a variety of roles – that’s a positive impact for the black community. Representation, in my opinion, is almost singlehandedly one of the most important things we can have to create change in not just the minds of other racial groups, but for young black girls and boys. One Night in Miami was brilliant due to the awareness towards this conversation of the ways black individuals can be advocates for black issues, while fostering changes in the community without needing to explicitly say it. That is why, to me, this film is amazing and very much worth the watch for those wanting to have a conversation regarding differing perspectives on black trauma and advocacy.