Powerful work from Kingsley Ben-Adir as Malcolm X and Leslie Odom Jr. as Sam Cooke help elevate this fictionalized 1964 meeting of four real-life friends (Jim Brown and Muhammad Ali round out the quartet) that dissolves into a discussion of race and justice. At times it feels a little too much like we’re just watching the play it’s based on, but there’s no doubting the relevance, powerful message, and top-notch performances across the board.
4/5 stars