Biographical movies inspired by real lives should be taken with a grain of salt, particularly when they are trying to sum up complex, controversial, and well-documented stories into a single story. Michael follows a familiar pattern, introducing the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures in the history of music.
The film stars Jaafar Jackson, the King of Pop’s nephew, in his acting debut, with Juliano Krue Valdi playing the singer’s younger self. The film is directed by Antoine Fuqua and co-produced by GK Films. The supporting cast is also strong including Nia Long, Mike Myers, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier and Colman Domingo.
The film charts the artist’s journey from his humble beginnings to his emergence as a global superstar, covering 22 years from 1966 to 1988. Rather than a standard biopic, Michael leans into the music, offering a stylized glimpse into his creative process from songwriting to album production.
Much of the story centers on his formative years with the Jackson 5 and how that experience paved the way for his transformation into a cultural icon. The film also tries to delve into his childhood, the problems he encountered and his difficult relationship with his father.
The film touches on topics like racism in the entertainment industry but doesn’t get into the more profound and uncomfortable realities of his experiences. Likewise, many of the more controversial aspects of his life are either downplayed or skipped altogether.
This makes for an account that feels too slick. The film might appear to many viewers as a tribute rather than a critique and may not go deep enough to truly grapple with the complexities of the subject matter.
At times, the story seems selective and in favor of a celebratory tone, avoiding difficult issues. Some viewers might feel that the film sacrifices authenticity for image with this choice.
Jaafar Jackson is a solid performer though, and he nails key mannerisms and stage presence, if not quite the charisma and magnetic aura of the original icon.
The film also omits some significant aspects of the artist’s humanitarian efforts and personal struggles, likely due to legal and narrative constraints. It concludes with “HIS STORY CONTINUES,” suggesting a possible sequel that could explore the later years of his life.
On the whole, Michael does a commendable job of replicating some iconic performances with impressive attention to detail, but its refusal to fully address the breadth of its subject’s life ultimately undermines its impact as a definitive biopic.
