Movie: Ali` Bumaye

Actors: Will Smith
Director: , Producer:

`Ali` is a political film. It is the story of the 1960s and the 1970s, the nation of Islam, of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, the civil rights movement, the vietnam war,of Zaire and Africa, Mobutu and Idi-Amin.

I`ll be honest, this

is more of a tribute than a review; a tribute to the man, and the movie about the man, that we have come to know as Muhammad Ali, the heavy weight Boxing champion of the World. Muhammad Ali aka Cassius Marcillus Clay goes beyond being a mere sporting figure. Like an earlier Muhammad Ali, at once demonized and celebrated for asserting himself, the Champ was also a minority within a minority. This consciousness became the driving force in his life. He was and still is the symbol of dissent, defiance and resistance, and of all that is good about the United States as a country. And yet, Muhammad Ali goes beyond that; he is like a bridge between civilizations, East and west, rich and poor, third world and the first world. Growing up many thousands of miles away from the US in Pakistan, I was asked once to list the names of my favorite Pakistani sporting heroes and I wrote `Imran Khan, Jehangir Khan, and Muhammad Ali Clay`. I was not alone, millions in Africa and in Asia have adopted Muhammad Ali as their own. At this time when the World stands more polarized than ever before, the release of `Ali` the life of this great man is most fortunate.

`Ali` is a political film. It is the story of the 1960s and the 1970s, the nation of Islam, of Malcolm X and Elijah Muhammad, the civil rights movement, the vietnam war,of Zaire and Africa, Mobutu and Idi-Amin. If anyone questions the role of `Muslimness` as an socio-political and cultural identity, they`d better see `Ali`. Its not the question of religious bigotry or intolerance for clearly Muhammad Ali was a tolerant man. Its not even the question of religious observance and theology, for the womanizing Muhammad Ali was not too zealous in his religious observance nor is the celluloid Muhammad Ali, which incidentally is another great quality of this film. Muhammad Ali is not portrayed as a saint and that is what makes this movie so inspiring. Ali achieved greatness despite human failings.

Ali, played by Will Smith, is shown as what he was, a man of conviction. `I ain`t gonna pray to some blue eyed blonde haired jesus` says Ali, before turning to Black Islam. The movie does well to capture the Culture of the American South with its segregation and racial prejudices. The painting of the blue eyed blonde haired jesus, lynching of a black man, the sign `coloreds`, etc are all influences on young Ali that he would never forget. Ali`s refusal to be drafted on the basis of his religious beliefs and his ultimate victory in the Supreme Court sets a magnificent precedent for religious freedom in the United States. Only in the US can a draft dodger become a hero. Ali tells a reporter `Vietcong is not my enemy, you are my enemy, you enslaved me for 400 years.` The movie is full of soul stirring statements of this kind bravado and defiance, the kind of stuff that made America what it is. In the end the whole world is an audience, the struggles of the third world are backdrop, and the center of attention is Ali vs Foreman in Zaire with crowds cheering `Ali Bumaye, Ali Bumaye`, and Ali.. well he is the peoples` champion.

Will Smith is masterly. The fact that Will Smith doesn`t particularly resemble Muhammad Ali is a plus, and Will Smith passes with flying colors in this test. Those who had laughed at the choice of Will Smith don`t know of his passion for his black heritage. Even on the sets of the `Fresh Prince of Bel Air` Will`s room always has a picture of Malcolm X on the wall. In all fairness the Fresh Prince of Belair did deal with many issues of Black consciousness and identity.

In the final assessment: The best $8.75 I ever spent.