Directed by : Regina King

Everybody talks about they wanting a piece of the pie, well I don't. I want the goddamn recipe.


Spoilers ahead...

On the night of Feb 25, 1964, Cassius Clay (Eli Goree) wins a boxing bout against Sonny Liston and arrives at a hotel to celebrate with his close friends, Malcolm X (Kingsley Ben-Adir), Jim Brown (Aldis Hodge) and Sam Cooke (Leslie Odom Jr). What was supposed to be a victory celebration turns into some heated debates between them regarding the civil lights, their responsibilities towards the community and leading the way to empowering the black people.

Very much like Ma Rainey's blackbottom, this film too is based on a play and thereby while watching you get the feel of watching a play specially the entire hotel room sequence. 

It felt a very disjointed movie, some scenes work here and there, love the one involving Jim Brown and the white guy who gives him warm welcome at his home and behaving like he is always there for anything Jim wants, only to later decline him entry inside the house because he is black, oh the irony.

Cassius Clay's boxing scenes didn't work at all, felt it was shot ameaturishly or maybe was secondary so didn't get the importance it otherwise would had. 

Takes a while, but when the 4 guys (I hardly knew anything about them in real, was a surprise to me to learn that Muhammad Ali had changed his name and converted into a Muslim) finally meet at the hotel, is when the film feels heading somewhere for atleast a while. Their conversations which start as their personal thoughts soon develop into interesting debatable angry conversations, with Malcom X going against Sam Cooke accusing him for not making right use of his singing and the power of words, and rather been a slave to white people instead. It soon shifts on Clay's conversion and if he really wants it or was Malcom in any way influential. There's Jim who is unclear if he wants to keep playing football or become a movie star. And then Malcolm who is having his own troubles within his 'Nation of the Islam' as he intends to start his own organisation. 

Its hard to take sides with anybody, almost everyone's perspective felt right to me. I enjoyed all 4 performances, but Leslie Odom Jr act worked most for me including that last song he performs. Also, I was wondering if Lance Reddick had come from the sets of 'John Wick', continuing the same role and similar style. 

One Night in Miami, is one of those rare films that has a strong 2nd act, but very few worthy moments to enjoy in rest parts. Still a nice directorial debut from Regina King. 

My Rating : 6/10