Malcolm X (1992)

This month’s theme of PORTRAITS OF THE ARTISTS has us examining two distinct black leading men from across the history of film but you can also just call it DENZEL MONTH because most of what we are discussing stars Denzel Washington and we can’t do a Denzel month without a Spike Lee project so why not go with his ambitious and engrossing 1992 biopic “Malcolm X”. Denzel plays the iconic historical figure who turned into a spokesman for black nationalism and pan-africanism who was shot down by the religious and political institution he helped lift up. Denzel Washington has a classic leading man style that sets him apart from other actors but this may be his most embodied and methodical performance in his career. At least it felt that way. He is an actor after all. Love and Race is this week’s sub theme and with love also comes great tragedy. It’s easy to be lost between the truth and the performance in this film and it would seem the most notable difference would be the direct omission of Louis Farrakhan who, allegedly, made threats on Spike when he was making this movie. Baines seems to be the amalgam that holds pieces of the things that are missing. As usual, the truth may be darker. We gotta bring those zoot suits back in style.

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