If you’d make a list of the most famous people in sport chances would be that Muhammad Ali would end up in the top 3. This isn’t because of the fact that he is a three time heavyweight boxing champion, but mostly because he made a big impression on people outside of the ring. Het change his name from Cassius Clay to Muhammad Ali because of his religion. He refused to fight in Vietnam, which resulted in him losing out on a lot of money and a big part of his career, because he was not allowed to fight. Still, it is not a decision he has ever regretted. Many books have been written about him and this isn’t the first movie/documentary about this famous athlete. That means this documentary has to bring something new to the table and that’s what director Clare Lewins tries to do by focussing on the man behind the boxer and the people who surrounded him.
By using audio recordings made by Ali himself with his children, archival footage and interviews with his children, coach, journalists, photographers, ex wife, a fan and former opponents, the viewer gets to hear very personal stories. His daughter tells how he was never able to say no to her when she used to ask him for something, his coach tells a heart wrenching story on how Ali dealt with a young fan with leukemia. George Foreman talks about the Rumble in the Jungle. The stories and anecdotes are fast and many, but there isn’t anything to pull it all together. The film jumps throughout Ali’s career and never focus on any specific aspects of it.
This results in a documentary which never makes itself feel important and only seems to praise Ali. When his ex-wife tells that he cheated on her, nothing is done with it. That critical tone is missing, which is a shame. As his family takes part in the movie, that might be the reason for it, but because of it is not a very interesting film and not much new information is presented and that is a shame.
Oh that’s a shame. Documentaries are at their best when they’re unashamedly truthful and honest. I get that Ali is considered a hero among men, but still a human, and humans have their flaws.
Yeah, like I said it is understandable, but because of it adds nothing to the documentaries about him already made.