10 The Compass Wednesday, Decembers, 1992
Malcom X: an epic portrayal of a slain leader
Movie Review
By Tarsha White
In making Malcolm X, Spike Lee has
attempted to cinematically portray the
epic life of one of America's most char
ismatic and complex public figures,
Malcolm X.
The film opens stunningly, with a
screen filled by the American flag that
ignites and bums, leaving at the center
a charred "X". At the same time, Denzel
Washington, who plays the title role,
says: "I charge the white man with
being the world's greatest murderer and
kidnapper. For the black man, there is
no American dream, only the American
nightmare." Seconds later video scenes
from the Rodney King beating are
shown.
There are several flashbacks to
Malcolm's childhood in Nebraska and
Michigan. In one scene, Malcolm's
mother (Lonette McGee) falls apart af
ter her husband is killed by the Ku Klux
Klan—a death which was officially
ruled as a suicide. His brothers and
sisters are separated and sent to foster
homes by the government agencies,
which causes the nwntal breakdown of
his mother.
The film's second part, dealing with
Malcolm's years in Boston during World
War II, is the most entertaining. Here,
Lee focuses on a dance hall sequence
that shows off the humorous, less seri
ous times in Malcolm's hfe. Malcolm
becomes a street hustler, a drug pusher,
and eventually a robber which, along
Drawing of Malcom X by Charles Lilly
with his affair with a white woman,
gets him a 6 1/2-year sentence at
Charleston State Prison.
In prison, Malcolm, with the help of
his friend, Baines (Albert Hall), con
verts to Islam. This begins the third
section of the film in which Malcolm
becomes a leader and is much more
serious. Malcolm becomes a dedicated
follower of Elijah Muhammad and the
Nation of Islam (NOI). "Elijah
Muhannmed is the only man I ever
feared." says Malcolm. Elijah's sexual
exploitation of women causes Malcolm
to turn away from Islam, however.
As a result, Malcolm rethinks his phi
losophy and mellows his position to
wards whites. "There can be no Black-
White unity until there is Black unity,"
he says, after returning to America from
a trip to Mecca.
Inthelastfewyearsofhislife,Malcolm
X has become the victim of a series of
death threats. On February 14, 1965,
Malcolm X's home in Queens, New York
is fire-bombed.
”For the black man,
there is no American
dream, only The Ameri
can Nightmare."
Denzel Washington in
Malcom X
One week later, on February 21,
Malcolm X is gunned down during a
rally in Harlem by a group of Muslim
extremists. Unlike Oliver Stone's film
about Jim Garrison's investigation of
the Kennedy assassination, Lee refrains
from making wild and unsubstantiated
charges about Malcom's murder. Lee
does suggest, however, that the CIA is
involved.
Denzel Washington gives an impres
sive and mesmerizing performance as
Malcolm X. His delivery of the many
speeches given by Malcolm X is sur
prisingly powerful and he remains in
control throughout the film. Denzel's
previous movie credits include A
Soldier's Story, Carbon Copy, The Mighty
Quinn, Heart Condition, Ricochet, Missis
sippi Masala, Cry Freedom, and Glory.
Other strong performances are given
by Albert Hall in the prison scenes,
Delroy Lindo as the West Indian Archie,
Malcolm's early partner in crime, and
Lonette McKee as Malcolm's mother.
To meet the challenge of making a
film about Malcolm X, Spike Lee as
sembled a variety of behind-the-scenes
artists, many of whom Lee has worked
with on previous projects; including
director of photography Ernesi
Dickerson (Jungle Fever, Do The Rijil
Thing,aT\d Juice); editorBarryAIexandei
Brown (Madonna's Truth or Dare, Di
The Right Thing, and Salaam Bonkf:
production designer Wynn Thomas(al
five of Lee's previous films); costume
designer Ruth Carter (all of Lee's previ
ous films and Kid'N Play's House Party)
; and casting director Robi Reed (all of
Lee's films).
Though Mfl/co/m X is very long (thm
hours and 21 minutes), it is moreta
worth the sit. In addition to being en
tertaining, this film educates and in
forms about the life and times of
Malcolm X. This movie, like Roots, Tk
Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman,
other historical Black documentaries
presents a realistic and surprising pic
ture of America through the eyes oi
African-Americans.
At the time he lived, Malcolm X was
regarded by many people, indudinj
blacks, as a dangerous man who advo
cated violence to change society-1
man who put his people's lives at risk
Malcolm was misquoted and misun
derstood by the press who time ate
time took his words out of context. Itis
great to finally see the truth about tto
brilliant leader.
Like most of Lee's movies, Malcom
is guaranteed to stir up even the deep
est emotions of the people who will set
the film.
Fortinbras entertaining despite breaks in action
Drama Review
By Melanie Harrington
After400years theater audiences now
know what happened in Denmark after
Hamlet died. The University Players
answered this age old question with
their November production oi Fortinbras
, Lee Blessing's comic play which picks
up the action where Sh^espeare'sHam-
let left off.
The story opens in the throne room of
Elsinore, Hamlet's castle. Hamlet
(Reggie Hood) has just died and in
waltzes Fortinbras (Chester Dunton)
who "happened to be in the neighbor
hood." Fortinbras fulfills Hamlet's dy
ing wish and takes over the throne. He
makes up a story that Hamlet and his
family were killed by Polish spies.
Horatio (J. Gary Brinn) disagrees and
says they must tell the truth but no one
will listen to him.
Osric (James B. Brothers) turns him
self in as the Polish spy. Meanwhile, the
ghosts of Claudius (Qarence M. Jones,
Jr.) and Gertrude (Regina M. Riddick)
appear to Fortinbras and tell him about
the afteriife. After they leave, Ophelia's
ghost (Renita A. Boone) apjjears and
seduces Fortinbras.
Ophelia begins to take over
Fortinbras' mind. While under
Ophelia's spell, Fortinbras' army cap
tures foreign lands and his kingdom
grows. Fortinbras begins to act differ
ently and decides that he must rid him
self of Ophelia.
In order to do that, he marries a Pohsh
maiden. The scene is comical as
Fortinbras acts as groom, minister, and
witness all at once.
In a misunderstanding, the Norwe
gian Captain (James Sims) hangs Osric
AnenragedHoratiokillsFortinbrasand
then takes his own life. The play ends
with all of the ghosts gathered on the
battlements. TheghostofHoratioreads
the news to the others, that Fortinbras'
army walked into a river and drowned.
Denmark is once again without a ruler.
The University Players put on an im
pressive show. The costumes, sets, di
rection, and acting were all believable.
Although Chester Dunton's perfor
mance doesn't measure up to his por
trayal of SethHolleyin Joe Ti/mer's Come
and Gone, Dunton managed to capti
vate the audience with his energy and
antics.
J. Gary Brinn (Horatio) also put on a
fine performance. He and Dunton
worked well together. Their fencing
duel was the highlight of the play.
James B. Brothers (Osric) was con-
vmang in his role. His character went
from a faithful servant in life to a person
whoonlylooksoutforhimselfindeath.
rhe change m character was complete
and believable.
Renita A. Boone (Ophelia) made her
University Players in
ForUnbras as did Clarence M. Jones Jr
and Regina M. Riddick (Gertrude),
gave excellent performances pe
mances.
Reggie Hood (Hamlet) joins the Uni
versity Players with acting experien®
already under his belt. Hood has^p
peared in The Taming of the Shreio an
The Crucible.
The only fault in this
the play itself. Fortinbras, direct
Shawn Smith, consists of fifteen sceje
which tcx)k place on seven
audience was forced to sit in dar
between each scene while the see -
was being rearranged. The irel
stops in the action became distract
first and then anno]^ng. Theaudiej^
even quit applauding because o
distraction. .
All in all, Fortinbras was
and enjoyable, however vMy
time the Players will choose a
suited to their facilities.