★★★½ Malcom X

[Gino: 3.5]

I knew next to nothing about the subject of this epic bio-picture. This was a suitably complex film that never strays from its subject and didn't sugar-coat or shy away from much, it seemed to me. Nice photography, music, etc. The acting didn't seem to be that difficult, but on the other hand I watched some of the documentary material showing the real Malcom X, and it was very easy to forget whether you were watching the real person or Denzel Washington. So, I guess that means it was good acting. The film was long and I had to watch it in 3 parts on the train (non-ideal conditions). But the length is kinda necessary to follow the subjects life trought tragedy, hope, deliquency, incarceration, inspiration, dramatic betrayal, more inspiration and then back to tragedy.

The film was teetering between a 3.5 and 4.0 for me until the epilouge, which, while well-done I thought wasn't necessary or a subtle as the rest of the picture.