Actors shifting their attention to the director’s chair has been a common occurrence in film history. While many have gone on to successful directing careers, most of their directorial debuts don’t always hit the level of Academy Award winner Regina King’s directorial debut, One Night in Miami. A film that is not only engaging but delves into themes that still profoundly resonates in today’s society while offering an enthralling blip into 4 icons before their lives and worlds were forever altered.
One Night In Miami adapts Kemp Power’s stage production that opens a fictionalized time capsule to the evening Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) upset Sonny Liston in February 1964 to become the heavyweight champion of the world. From there, Clay is joined by Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr.), and Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) in a hotel room where most are expecting a lively celebration, but what it turns into is an enthralling, tense, and complex discussion about their various roles in the civil rights movement and how each of their personalities differs but ultimately shares the same overall message.
I, personally am not a huge fan of play adaptations to the big screen. While musicals have worked for me, plays have often missed the mark for me as they often feel like their onstage counterpart rather than offering a fresh take on the material. By those standards, One Night in Miami should not have worked; however, this film brings an undeniable energy and passion thanks to the unique foursomes screen presence and King’s direction.
King’s direction is full of poise, and confidence as she approaches Power’s script with sensitivity and energy that aids in creating the film’s claustrophobic tension. Her choice to allow the personalities to be on full display throughout the film was the perfect choice as these 4 legends turn a hotel room in 1964 into the most interesting place in the world. Aided by Kemp Power’s script that is filled with nuances and a hypothetical sparring match between these men that mirrored Clay’s in-ring battles.
While all 4 men shine in their portrayals, my two standouts are Kinglsey Ben-Adir as Malcolm X and Eli Goree as Cassius Clay. Ben-Adir is perhaps the most effective in bringing across Malcolm’s dedication to his cause, and the desperation that often comes across as harshness, without losing the character’s benevolent side. It’s hard to imagine anyone outshining Denzel Washington’s take as X but Ben-Adir goes toe to toe in one of the most riveting portrayals of the year.
Goree’s take on Clay captures the arrogance and charisma that made him one of the most beloved athletes of all time. As an avid fan of pro-wrestling, it was a nice call back to hear Clay explain his public persona with reference to famed pro wrestling heel Gorgeous George, which captures the origin of Clay’s over-the-top persona. Both Adir and Goree offer awards-worthy performances, while Leslie Odom Jr.’s take is sure to be in consideration for a supporting actor nomination and possible win at the Oscars next year.
One Night In Miami does not answer all the questions, nor does it intend to. What it does do is create conversations that can continue amongst cinephiles upon the film’s conclusion. The film is a surefire awards contender across the board and not only one of the year’s best films, but directorial debuts.
