A powerful biopic offering an intimate look at the man behind the King of Pop
Michael presents a deeply personal portrayal of one of the most iconic and complex figures in music history.
Michael Joseph Jackson (newcomer Jaafar Jackson/Juliano Valdi [The Loud House] as young Michael). Just say his name and people instantly conjure up an image of him or begin humming one of his songs. He was one of the most well-known celebrities in the world, yet very few people really knew him. He was thrust into the spotlight and became a star before he was even 10 years old. He didn't have many friends besides his trusted, longtime bodyguard, Bill Bray (Keilyn Durrell Jones; Succession).
He was the 8th out of 11 children who grew up with an abusive father. He was also the most talented and successful of his siblings, eventually earning the moniker, "The King of Pop". The biopic, Michael, coming to theaters this week, offers a different, more personal view of Michael Jackson that fans thought they knew.
The movie Michael shows the multitude of times Michael felt isolated from others, except his mother, his bodyguard, and his pets, including Bubbles the Chimpanzee. It puts parts of his private life on display (if the narrative is to be believed) and offers rare insights into his thought process while recording music and videos. It also shows how manipulative, cold, and cruel his father, Joe (Colman Domingo; Fear the Walking Dead), could be.
Taking on this biopic, which was written by John Logan (Any Given Sunday), required a seasoned director with a clear vision of the story they wanted to tell. Luckily, Antoine Fuqua (The Equalizer trilogy) took on the task and created a memorable film about one of the most musical artists ever. The result is a solid movie that will captivate fans worldwide.
For never having acted before, Jackson does a pretty good job, though it doesn't hurt that Michael was his real-life Uncle and Jackson knew the man behind the music for the first 12 years of his life. Jackson obviously has the familial look, and with some makeup and hair styling, he manages to look eerily like his uncle. He also does very well emoting the feelings Fuqua wanted him to portray on screen whether it was being afraid of his father, intimidated by Joe (whom he coldly referred to as Joseph), sad at his loneliness, or angry at the situation he was always being put into (basically bowing down to his father's wishes regardless of whether he wanted to or not). Domingo, Nia Long (Big Momma's House), who portrays his mother, Katherine, and Valdi, offer strong performances that elevate Jackson's portrayal as well.
What is most striking about the film is the intimate look into the man behind the music. He could be vulnerable, demanding, intimidated, isolated, professional, or caring depending on the situation. His genius is evident, and it is clear that his quirky, eccentric nature was a direct result of his stern upbringing.
Of course, the music is a highlight, and the final concert scene is so well produced and mixed that I felt as if I was actually at the concert rather than watching it on the big screen. Honestly, there were moments when the music took center stage, and the drama between the performances was merely "filler" to bridge the musical numbers.
For fans who remember Michael Jackson from his early days in the Jackson 5 to the King of Pop years, this movie is musically a treat and a glimpse into the sensitive man behind the music. For those who don't remember him well or who never knew him before he passed away, hopefully, they will come to appreciate not only his music and talent but also the struggles he faced in his private life.
Grade: B+
