Review of Malcolm X by Misshapen_Steed

Lee's use of Sam Cooke's A Change is Gonna Come has to be among the greatest needle drops ever.

I first saw this back in high school, and I enjoyed it but sort of just saw it as a really well made biopic with a great lead performance. Perhaps it had something to do with having just read The Autobiography of Malcom X as told to Alex Haley, a very powerful text, and viewing Lee's film as more of an exercise in adaptation.

And yes, Lee's style here is more reserved, but that's because he saves his boldest cinematic touches for the exact right moments, providing his scenes with maximum impact while always remaining in service of the life story and ideas of an incredible man. An absolute achievement anchored by one of the best performances we'll ever see.