Michael brings the heat with its relentless look at the early years of Michael Jackson. But it feels incomplete as it resists showing anything negative about the artist.
Michael may be a feel-good flick, but with its cast and foot-tapping, moonwalking discography, it’s impossible not to feel the pull of its infectious rhythm. Given its ending, there is most likely a sequel in the works. Plus, the film does not cover the legend’s later hits or the accusations. Rather, this film paints Michael as someone with a Peter Pan complex, forever trapped in a childlike mindset, while also emphasizing his need to assert his adult status. Michael brings the heat with its relentless look at the early years of Michael Jackson. But it feels incomplete as it resists showing anything negative about the artist.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the movie looks at the musical icon Michael Jackson. From his Jackson 5 years to his initial solo trek to the constant controlling pull of his abusive father, the film does not let up. Hopefully, it continues with that when it comes to what happens later. As entertainment, there is little Michael lacks. It checks all the entertainment boxes and then some. In fact, if this were a drama about a Black child singer struggling to navigate an industry and an abusive home life, it would work better because the focus is on highlighting the child’s come-up. But Michael is about a real person. Yet, it feels like a character.
Michael delivers with a moving cast, sharp direction, and plenty of musical hits, but there needs to be a revision surrounding what constitutes a biopic because the film feels less genuine as Michael is the hero with no conflict that paints him negatively. Dramatizing the life of someone famous means the good and the bad. But Michael goes to great lengths to avoid depicting anything negative. In fact, it feels as though it pushes sainthood on the legend.
Michael Performances Shine, But Many Feel One-Dimensional
It’s not only the lead that feels flat without depth. Many of the cast, though the acting is top-tier, lack depth. From Jaafar Jackson, making his debut playing his famous uncle, to Colman Domingo (The Running Man, Sing Sing) as the abusive father, Joseph Jackson, to Nia Long (The Best Man, Love Jones) as the mom, Katherine Jackson, who is loving but also complicit in the abuse, none of them have layers. Joseph is bad, Katherine is gentle, and the legendary artist is innocent. Juliano Valdi, in his feature debut as the young Michael, is also amazing and needs more roles to grow and hone his craft.
Not A Look at a Life
As a biopic, the film fails to give a multi-dimensional look at the man behind the legend. His siblings are barely given the time of day. Instead, their presence further emphasizes his innocence or that he’s “not like other guys.” It veers between showing that and his repeated assertions that he’s an adult. Like any inspirational drama, Michael’s arc is confronting his mean father and looking him in the eye. As both characters are hollow, there is nothing else needed to make it feel complete.
Most of the events depicted in Michael’s life won’t surprise many who grew up listening to the prince of pop. Much of what transpires on the silver screen is well-trod territory thanks to the news and even gossip circulated by friends and family. Still, it’s not to see the depiction onscreen. Antoine Fuqua’s direction makes the movie feel, at times, like it’s more than it is. But it’s an illusion. While Michael is a fun time for fans of the artist and their discography, with wonderful performances and direction, it does nothing beyond entertaining.
Decide What You Want From Your Biopic
So, if you want to bop your head and cheer, without needing a peek behind the curtain, check it out. But if you like more substance to your films about real people, the movie does not deliver that. Michael is like an idiom given cinematic breath, where it does not go beyond a trite hopefulness, and wants audiences to accept that. You come for answers, but are expected to stay for the music. Some will. Some won’t. While I enjoyed the film for what it is, it is disappointing for what it could’ve been.
