Michael, a biography directed by Antoine Fuqua, presents a captivating yet emotionally restrained narrative about the life of Michael Jackson, and Jaafar Jackson is highly lauded for his outstanding performance as the legendary singer.
While Michael includes pivotal moments in Jackson’s life story, such as his debut in the Jackson 5 and how he eventually made a name for himself as a solo artist, the movie only provides superficial insight into the real Michael Jackson.
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A performance that stands out
Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, gives a star turn in the movie, performing in a style very similar to that of his uncle Michael Jackson.
The film begins with Jackson’s upbringing with his strict father, Joseph Jackson, portrayed by actor Colman Domingo, and shows the various kinds of abuses he suffered during his formative years. Other notable aspects covered in the film include Jackson’s rise with the Motown group, their mainstream success, and Michael’s own rise as a solo artist with albums like Off the Wall and Thriller.
Several pivotal moments are depicted, including the Pepsi commercial accident, his evolving public image, and the iconic Bad tour, which forms the film’s closing sequence.
A still from the film YouTube/Universal Pictures
Where the film falls short
Despite covering major milestones, the film avoids delving deeper into the complexities that defined Jackson’s later life. The review notes that issues such as controversies, personal struggles and allegations are largely absent, leaving the narrative feeling incomplete.
The third act, in particular, appears affected by legal constraints, which reportedly prevented the inclusion of certain aspects of Jackson’s life. This results in a portrayal that leans towards a more sanitised version of events.
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The film also raises questions about narrative balance, given the involvement of Jackson’s longtime associate John Branca as a producer.
A spectacle without depth
Though Michael manages to recreate the visual splendor that characterised Jackson's concerts and provides brief glimpses into the past that evoke nostalgia, it fails to give any depth about Jackson's character and psychological struggles.
The movie tends to present Jackson more as a creation of circumstance rather than an individual struggling with the same.
Michael is currently running in theatres.
