FORGET WHAT YOU THINK YOU KNOW.
Perhaps Michael Mann was looking for a Best Picture Oscar when he made this biography about the ten most interesting years, 1964-1974, in Muhammad Aliās life. It has a nice feel for the period, a touch of grandeur and a central performance of the kind that is usually rewarded by the Academy. Will Smith is quite good as Ali and Jon Voight almost unrecognizable as the legendary broadcaster Howard Cosell. The film is a smooth, entertaining experience, but it never delivers the impact we expect because too much has been crammed into the script.
2001-U.S. 158 min. Color. Widescreen. Directed byĀ Michael Mann. Screenplay: Michael Mann, Eric Roth, Stephen J. Rivele, Christopher Wilkinson. Cast: Will Smith (Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali), Jamie Foxx (Drew āBundiniā Brown), Jon Voight (Howard Cosell), Mario Van Peebles, Ron Silver, Jeffrey Wright… Jada Pinkett Smith, Giancarlo Esposito.
Trivia: Oliver Stone, Spike Lee and Norman Jewison reportedly considered making the film; at one point, Denzel Washington was considered for the part of Ali.