Nerds That Geek Movie Review: ‘Malcolm X’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

When we think of the incredible people throughout history, the kind that managed to change the world in a positive manner, we only think of their deeds and the period of their life where they made said change. Which is both good and bad. Because on one hand, it allows for us to celebrate their incredible deeds over and over again and be reminded of the fact that they were an exceptional human being. One that truly did something quite amazing. But on the other hand, focusing only on that… doesn’t really allow for us to celebrate the person and what exactly made them into the hero that we admire today.
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The latter of which, is supremely important to recognize for certain. Since it does so much for formative young minds. Such as teaching them how to recognize injustices in the world so they too can speak out against them, and to keep us all grounded and humble. For this kind of study helps to remind us that our heroes are in fact people, who made a choice to embrace bravery and hopefully that fearless decision inspires others to do the same. But thankfully, as the years continue along and the good deeds of past heroes continue to be scrutinized, people are starting to ask for the whole story of those who made a difference… so we can in fact, know their complete journey and one particular film that does a phenomenal job of exploring the life of a civil rights icon, is the 1992 epic biopic… Malcolm X.

For this particular tale, provides us with some incredible insight into the life of a man that was born Malcolm Little and how his younger years were filled with strife and a desire to figure out how to fit in and find purpose as an African American in a time where Black people were viewed as second class citizens. And it also does a phenomenal job of showing us how Malcolm lost his way once he slipped into adulthood and let misfortune dictate a path toward prison… a place that genuinely helped to form him into the man we celebrate today. For his time behind bars allowed for him to truly reflect upon his journey thus far and how perhaps it wasn’t the right path to walk. Which in turn, allowed for the Muslim faith to find him and give him direction and purpose.

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Which of course… leads to his days in the spotlight as the spokesman of the Nation of Islam. Wherein he took the time to speak upon racial equality in a manner that was jarring to the people of the 1960s. But while that segment of the story is equally as informative and powerful… it is the smaller moments in between his big speeches that truly captivates the viewer. Because we are able to see Malcolm X as a man and not as a legend. And that allows for us to learn how hard it was for him to juggle being a good husband and a good father, while maintaining his status a symbol of hope, and we are also to privy to how his fame helped to engender jealousy and disdain and how that sometimes wore upon his soul and his mind.
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But while those elements make for a powerful and visceral and heartbreaking experience for certain, where this biopic truly shines… is in its ability to present Malcolm X as fallible. For we truly do view our heroes as flawless individuals that can do no wrong. But in this film, Malcolm makes mistakes often and sometimes backs the wrong cause or the wrong people, which makes him quite relatable since we too have made similar mistakes. But what truly makes him inspiring in this story, is that rather than indulge in arrogance or hubris, he is always willing to open his mind and his heart to mistakes and learn from them. Which is what helps to grow his unique views on unity and equality and how they should be a virtue and a right for all and that makes this motion picture a powerful and poignant picture for certain. One that truly removes the mystique surrounding a civil rights legend and challenges the audience in the process since it points out something quite incredible about Malcom’s approach to the fight for equal rights.

In that, we are inherently uncomfortable with the truth and we tend to move past it instead of addressing the issue. But his sharp and biting words and truth spouting, really does point out that we need to hear the truth about race relations in America, no matter how uncomfortable that might be. Because that is the only way we can ever properly address it, since then it is out on the open and on display and while we wait for the all-important day for that to happen, we can continue to revisit the life and times of the man that brought this idea to the table by way of one powerful story. One that truly explores every moment and every nuance of a civil rights icon and if by chance you haven’t seen this motion picture, please do so. Simply because it does a wonderful of job of celebrating the life of an incredibly important African American, one that started a powerful conversation that still has us talking to this day.   

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