What's going on? A story about the life of Muhammad Ali (Will Smith), and there's no mention of the little-known candy bar, bearing his name, from the little-known Wilbur Chocolate Company? Maybe there is an explanation: "Ali" basically chronicles the Champ's life from his first heavyweight title fight with Sonny Liston (Michael Bentt) in 1964 to his heavyweight title fight with George Foreman (Charles Shufford), the "Rumble in the Jungle," in 1974. Ali's confectionary endorsement most certainly occurred after 1974. Ah, in the days of my youth, I witnessed the Champ, sporting the brightest yellow jumpsuit, doling out his candy to apple-cheeked locals.
But I digress...
"Ali" is a compelling story with strong performances sabotaged by a flawed vision (at best) and abysmal editing. These 10 years of his life are so aimlessly pieced together like snapshots in time that only hardcore boxing historians can follow it without missing anything. Some scenes were included with little (or no!) context that you'll question why it's even being shown.
Ali is portrayed as having contrasting personalities: the brash, boastful showman that everyone sees and the sullen, principled revolutionary that inspires courage. For someone who had so much to say, we are rarely given a glimpse at what he really thought. I would have much rather seen his spiritual journey developed more than to haphazardly intersperse it with some boxing matches.
I'm making this sound as if I really disliked this movie. It's not true; IT'S NOT TRUE! (not that there's anything wrong with that) It's a very good movie that could have been so much better. The verbal pugilism between Ali and Howard Cosell (Jon Voight) is simply wonderful. When Ali storms out of a hearing on his protest of being drafted, Smith is convincingly passionate. |
