michael
Director:Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jafar Jackson, Juliano Cru Valdi, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Miles Teller and Colman Domingo
Rating: ★★★★
There is a sequence in Antoine Fuqua’s Michael in which a young Michael Jackson performs Billie Jean at Motown’s 25th anniversary. The iconic performance was where MJ debuted the moonwalk that would revolutionize pop music and dance for years to come. On screen, even though you know it’s not Michael performing; Even though you know what’s going to happen, and it’s all lip service, you can’t help but feel the occasion, the aura, and the build-up. And that’s just five minutes of a 2-hour movie. The Michael Jackson biopic presents the pop legend as a human being, a man who was both a victim of his surroundings and a fighter against them. This doesn’t make him a martyr or a rebel, but just a boy trying to do the best with what he was given. And in fact, full credit goes to Fuqua and newcomer Jafar Jackson for bringing MJ to life on screen. It is as much a tribute as it is a celebration of his life, music and ideology. And one that Michael himself would enjoy!
Base
Michael begins in his hometown of Gary, Indiana, where 10-year-old MJ (Guliano Cru Valdi) is beginning his music career with his brothers. The Jackson 5, managed by his overbearing father, Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), is on the path to success. But everyone can see that Michael, despite being the youngest, is the most talented and destined for greatness. As Michael grows up and tries to make a path for himself, he must battle his father and an industry that has repeatedly tried to put black artists in a corner. The film chronicles his rise as a solo artist in the 70s, his rise to superstardom after Thriller, and his comeback after a near-fatal accident just before the Victory Tour in 1984.
Michael rocked your world
I attended Michael’s screening with some hesitation, I admit. I read the international reviews and my expectations of it are lowered for a moment. And it didn’t help that the film got off to a choppy, disjointed start. For the first 20 minutes, it feels like a series of clips stitched together, yearning for consistency and sameness. Unlike Michael’s music, his films need some time to win your heart. But it happens with time. Colman Domingo grabs your attention from the opening minutes with a strong performance as the imperious Joe Jackson. But as Michael grows up and conflicts arise, he gives way to the young Jafar. That’s when the film kicks into high gear.
Michael’s USP is twofold. It utilizes the man’s music – that era-defining, foot-tapping rhythm that is as relevant today as it was four decades ago – to the fullest. Every song, every beat fits exactly where it appears in the film. The performance, based on MJ’s original vocals, sounds so real that you feel like you’re watching the man live in an arena. The cinematography, score and production design add to the effect, taking you back to the 80s. And it’s all elevated by some great performances. Domingo quickly makes his mark, but Miles Teller also impresses as MJ’s lawyer and agent. Keilin Durrell Jones, who plays his bodyguard, is the audience’s eyes and ears in this narrative, giving us a feel for the boy beneath the pop sensation. And then there’s Juliano Cru Valdi, who plays 10-year-old Michael. The young actor is absolutely perfect in his performance, which required him to not only emulate one of the most popular child stars of all time, but also play a scared and curious boy who probably never knew what it was like to be a child.
Jafar, the vicious criminal
But the film is actually Jafar’s. The Jackson boy shows that talent runs in the family. He had the incredible task of playing the most famous man in the world. Every move Michael made, every note he sang, and every word he uttered in public has been dissected, played, and replayed billions of times over the years. After Charlie Chaplin, Michael is the most imitated person in history. It is impossible to be like him in such a way that no one finds fault with that portrayal. Therefore, Jafar does the smart thing. He never tries to imitate Michael or imitate his mannerisms. He becomes a young star and then lets the performance take over. What’s praiseworthy is how closely he emulates MJ’s iconic dance moves and voice. Although he does not sing, Jafar changes his voice enough to sound like Michael. And then an experienced director like Fuqua can bring the best out of it.
This movie wants to start something
Michael is the first installment of a two-part biopic. That’s why it takes time for things to settle down, but it ends up being extreme. Many may feel that the film doesn’t do enough, or doesn’t delve deep enough into his life and career. But it addresses some things and hides others. There’s a healthy amount of sanitisation, but one should expect that in a film produced by the Jackson estate. And as for the concern that it ‘omits’ the sexual assault scandal entirely, the film only covers Michael’s life up to the 80s. The pop star’s fall, including the infamous allegations, may just be fodder for a planned sequel.
Still, the film misses a beat or two. This relegates his brothers – the other four of the Jackson 5 – to background entities with no personality. Heck, even his pet chimp, Bubbles, gets more screen time than the brothers. But none of the scathing derision the film has received from many critics in the West is justified. Perhaps, they were hoping for a different kind of film, something that focused more on MJ’s antics and scandals than his life. But what we get is not diluted or whitewashed, just honest. And that’s what makes it uniquely MJ!