Review of Ali (2001) by Corey M — 07 Aug 2008

Michael Mann's 'Ali' is a misdirected biopic; it is as though the director has assumed the audience are aware of all the major points and high moments of the boxer's life, and therefore we can sit back and acknowledge each of them when they suddenly arise. A biopic should teach you something about the titular person, but I walked away from 'Ali' with little more knowledge than I started.

Artistically, individual scenes show plenty of flair and promise. Mann is a talented director and it shows in more than one scene, but with four screenwriters and a one hundred and fifty minute run time, 'Ali' fails to inform. It moves through time far too hastily offering no inclination as to what is actually happening, which repeatedly becomes frustrating. Characters aren't properly introduced, and then disappear altogether, and later reappear suddenly, all with no explanation. The entire plot seems severely underdeveloped.

'Ali' does, however, have two exceptional points. First is Will Smith's performance. He pours 110% into nailing this character and it is far from his usual comedic role; I truly admire his effort. Still, I never felt he actually became Mohammed Ali. Anyway I blame the script rather than Smith; you can't conjure a perfect performance from a badly written character.

The second great thing about 'Ali' is the fight seqeunces; they have a realistic, bruising intensity and are impeccably directed. The film is overflowing with cool music that complements almost every scene, and the boxing matches are highlights in 'Ali' packing a more visceral and brutal punch. They were the only scenes where I was glued to the screen.

Characters, on the other hand, I felt almost nothing for. Ali's relationship with his father is the only one I found affecting, and that only mildly so. Those with Malcolm X, his number of wives or even his opponents have little emotional resonance.

Mann's major fault is a lack of conviction; he rushes through moments that should offer dramatic impact and reduces meaningful conversation to its minimum, all while pretty dull managerial dialogue smashes through the roof. The writers don't seem to know what makes for a more riveting, interesting picture.

I understand a lot of information had to be crammed into the film, but while Mann jumps past pivotal plot points he drags other seqeunces out far longer than necessary. The film's focus is hazy and unclear; 'Ali' is in dire need of editing.

In search of a more complimentary note, supporting actors Jon Voight and Jamie Foxx also impress as friends Howard Cossell and Drew Brown - although what they actually meant to Ali I am still unsure. Characters are given names, but developed persona's or backgrounds are treated as a waste of time.

How could a picture with so much potential crash so violently off course? 'Ali' has many moments of greateness, and if Mann went back to the editing room, perhaps re-filmed a couple of scenes and included more dialogue on character interaction, this could have been a great film. As it is, 'Ali' is only a good one. Another biopic about the boxer will undoubtedly be made in the future, and hopefully avoid the pitfalls of Mann's mature but unsatisfying attempt.