Michael is the newest musical biopic, showing the life (up until the mid-80s, and thus before all the controversy) of Michael Jackson. A very entertaining film, even if it is a bit of a puff piece. If you are a child of the 80s and grew up Michael’s music, you’ll find plenty to enjoy here.
After a short scene taking place in 1988 where Michael Jackson is getting ready to go on stage for a massive concert, we zip back to his humble beginnings in Gary Indiana. In 1966, the Jackson family lives under the tyrannical figure of their patriarch, Joseph Jackson. He grinds his kids into a musical group, demanding perfection, or face a whipping from his belt if they don’t. Joseph starts lining up bar gigs in the area, and the kids are a hit, especially young Michael in the vocal lead. A rep from Motown sees them one day and immediately sees Michael’s talent, asking Joseph to bring the group in for a meeting, and thus it begins. The Jackson 5 starts touring, and their albums become chart-toppers.
By 1978, Michael is ready to branch out on his own, and releases the first solo album with Quincy Jones at Epic Records, Off the Wall, Michael’s breakthrough as a solo artist. Joseph is still his manager though, and he insists that Michael put his family first, forcing Michael to record and tour with the Jackson 5 rather than doing a solo tour. Michael still lives in fear of his father, and kowtows to him whenever confronted. It isn’t until 1981, when Michael goes behind Joseph’s back to higher an attorney of his own, that he gets out from his father’s shadow. 1982’s Thriller followed, cementing Michael Jackson as one of the strongest acts in the world; it would go on to sell 34 million copies, the second best-selling album of all time. The film wraps up a couple years later, after Michael goes on a final tour with his brothers, and publicly ends his musical influence under his father’s thumb, culminating in that 1988 sold-out Wembley stadium concert during his Bad tour in 1988.
For a film about a man embroiled in controversy, the movie avoids all of it. Doesn’t hurt that it ends in 1988 before most of that came along, but even the infighting and jealousies between Michael and his brothers is completely ignored. In the movie, they all seem to be united for their hatred/fear of their father. Colman Domingo steals the show as Joseph Jackson and is easily the strongest actor in the film. It is pretty obvious that Jaafar Jackson was chosen for the role of Michael based solely on his familial looks (he is Michael’s nephew, brother Jermaine’s son). Jaafar obviously practiced the moves and has Michael’s classic dances down cold, but he’s not going to win any acting awards any time soon. But as I said at the open, it is an entertaining movie, even if the more complicated elements of Jackson’s early life are whitewashed. ★★★½
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