The next film of this year's awards race which I will be reviewing is One Night in Miami directed by Regina King. Similar to Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, the film is based on a stage play of the same name, and offers audiences a fictionalised meeting between four Black icons of the 1960s in which they discuss race relations in the US and their roles in the Civil Rights Movement.
Starring Kingsley Ben-Adir as activist Malcolm X, Eli Goree as Cassius Clay (before becoming known to the world as Muhammad Ali), Aldis Hodge as NFL player and actor Jim Brown, and Leslie Odom Jr. as singer Sam Cooke, the film offers audiences an insight into what it meant to be a prominent Black figure in the United States during a time of racial and social unrest.
Set on the night of Cassius Clay's surprising defeat of Sonny Liston, the four men, who were all friends in real life, gather in the Hampton House hotel in Miami to discuss Clay's success and how this and the prominent and influential social positions held by Cooke and Brown could effect the fight for civil rights and racial equality in the US. As someone who is outspoken in his beliefs and active in the political fight, Malcolm X strives to show the men the impact which could be made if they were to speak out and actively join the fight.
The performances by the four stars are incredible, with Odom Jr in particular stealing many of the scenes which he is in. The commoradary between the historical figures is paramount in the narrative, and serves as a reminder of how so many of those which we laud and respect for their impact on history, were active at the same time and frequently interacted and crossed paths with one another. Kemp Power's script, which he adapted himself from his play, highlights the turmoil felt by well known and respected Black figures like Clay, Brown and Cooke as they grapple with their desires to speak out against racial prejudice and their fears of what this will mean for them and the status which they have gained in their positions as prominent sportspeople and musicians. The dialogue and conversations which occur between the characters are the standout aspect of the film, with many compelling issues, experiences and insights being raised by all of the men. In her directorial debut, Regina King puts herself in very strong contention for a coveted Best Director Oscar nomination, and were she able to do so she would be the first black woman to achieve this feat. Other Oscar nominations which the film could snag would be in the Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor categories (for Leslie Odom Jr). I also wouldn't be surprised to see the film appear in the Best Picture race as there can be up to 10 nominees in this category and the film and its ensemble cast have been looked at favourably in other awards shows of the season.
As the second film of this years Oscars race which I've watched that is based on a play, I can't help but wonder if this will be a style of filmmaking which we will see increasingly more of in the coming years resulting from the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the entertainment industry. One can see how making a film based on a play, featuring limited characters and sets, would appeal more to studios now with all of the Covid prevention measures which productions must follow. Its less actors, less locations, less extras, and overall fewer people who need to be quarantined, bubbled and regularly tested, which now must seem increasingly appealing. This in combination with the prolonged closure of theatres, and a desire to get these popular and compelling plays out into the world to be enjoyed by audiences, could mean that we will see an increase in the number of adaptations of plays in the years to come.
One Night in Miami is available to stream now on Prime Video.
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