3320. One Night In Miami… (2020)

Starring: Kingsley Ben-Adir, Eli Goree, Aldis Hodge

Director: Regina King

Running Time: 114 mins

One Night In Miami… is an American film about a meeting between African-American icons Malcolm X, Sam Cooke, Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali in Miami in 1964.

It might just be my own likes, but One Night In Miami… is one of those ‘alternate history’ films that doesn’t really seem to offer much. Though the film does give an insight into the mindset of four African-American icons at a time of immense social change, it’s a frustrating watch for those with less knowledge of the era looking to learn.

And that’s where I think this film will be won or lost on you. If you have a strong knowledge about the four historical figures involved in this story, as well as the era of the Civil Rights Movement, then I think you’ll appreciate how the film’s screenplay uses its characters to tell its story.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a full-blown historical drama to learn about these figures and their role in the Civil Rights Movement, then One Night In Miami… might not be quite as captivating, as unfortunately proved the case for me.

Despite strong dialogue and a quartet of convincing performances, there’s a part of the film that means it all feels a little on the unconvincing side, even though that’s not what it’s designed to do.

Beyond that, the film certainly shows its strength in convincing production and costume design, but it doesn’t manage to deliver the most enthralling drama on the back of a rather slow-moving and meandering screenplay.

Overall, I was rather disappointed by One Night In Miami…, even though I can tell that’s down to my own sensibilities and lack of knowledge on the subject. If you’re looking for a historical drama, then this might not be the one for you, which is why I’m giving this film a 6.8 overall.