SPIKE LEE'S LATEST STANDS WITH YEAR'S BEST FILMS

Marvin Worth, who produced the film with Lee, has been trying to bring "The Autobiography of Malcolm X" to the screen for the past two decades. The result of his tenacity is neither as exciting nor stimulating as it might have been - especially under the guidance of Lee, whose 1989 masterpiece "Do the Right Thing" remains the most original and thought-provoking work yet to emerge from today's African-American movie scene.

One also looks in vain for signs indicating that, as Lee has publicly stated, no white director (such as Norman Jewison, originally slated for the project) could have probed so insightfully into this subject. Insofar as the picture falls neatly into the patterns of Hollywood storytelling, it seems a product of long-established white sensibilities as well as the African-American perspectives of Lee and his collaborators.

"Malcolm X" is nonetheless a carefully conceived and smartly produced achievement. It stands among the best films of this increasingly impressive movie year.

You've read 3 of 3 free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to SPIKE LEE'S LATEST STANDS WITH YEAR'S BEST FILMS
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1992/1118/18142.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe
CSM logo

Why is Christian Science in our name?

Our name is about honesty. The Monitor is owned by The Christian Science Church, and we’ve always been transparent about that.

The Church publishes the Monitor because it sees good journalism as vital to progress in the world. Since 1908, we’ve aimed “to injure no man, but to bless all mankind,” as our founder, Mary Baker Eddy, put it.

Here, you’ll find award-winning journalism not driven by commercial influences – a news organization that takes seriously its mission to uplift the world by seeking solutions and finding reasons for credible hope.

Explore values journalism About us