The movie Malcolm X was different from the book. However, the casting was an excellent choice that managed to deliver a great film. The film did not portray an accurate picture of how Malcolm grew up by excluding certain aspects of his childhood life in the movie. It was not accurate that the movie portrayed Malcolm as a lonely guy growing up without friends. Contrary to the movie, he was an outgoing guy who got involved with women and hustlers. The fact that the film could jump between the past and present was very interesting, especially the fire scenes where the movie was making some connection between Malcolm and his father’s life[1]. As the movie went on, we began feeling that Malcolm would have a bad ending in his life.
Malcolm’s behaviour towards women was a factor that stood out in the film. The book and the film were slightly different, and an example is the way Malcolm regarded Betty as his personal property, which was very different from my understanding in the book. However, the film caught my attention more towards the end of how Malcolm’s life turned out to be near the end of his life. I must admit that it would not be easy being followed everywhere and having one’s phones tapped as Malcolm experienced.
The controversy surrounding the person that murdered Malcolm is somehow interesting to me. Questions arise whether it was the CIA alone, the Nation of Islam, or if both of these groups were working together. The sad thing from the film was that Malcolm was murdered in front of his family. Moreover, it is traumatic for a child to see his parents die like Malcolm’s daughters. The experience by Malcolm’s daughters was very traumatic.
Bibliography
[1] Rickman, Gregg. 1993. “By Any Means Necessary: The Trials And Tribulations Of The Making Of “Malcolm X” Spike Lee Ralph Wiley.” Film Quarterly 46 (4): 64-64. doi:10.2307/1213187
