On Screen: “Michael”
Michael
With the undeniable theatrical success of “Michael” — grossing more than $400 million worldwide — it’s obvious that moviegoers prefer the fantasy of Michael Jackson as opposed to the reality.
Remember, the King of Pop’s career was in serious jeopardy after his 2005 trial for child molestation; he was found ‘not guilty’ but the aftermath of the accusations was undeniable. Then came “Leaving Neverland,” the 2019 HBO documentary in which two men described what they said was years of sexual abuse by Jackson.
Wisely, this current biopic chronicles Jackson’s life until 1988 — before any allegations surfaced — positioning it as a long overdue celebration of an artistic genius, chronicling his cultural impact on music, dance, even fashion.
Scripted by John Logan and directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film focuses on his early career, beginning in Gary, Indiana, when Michael was 10 years old, charming audiences as charismatic frontman for his older brothers, known as the Jackson 5.
Predictably, the ‘villain’ is overbearing, self-centered Joe Jackson (Colman Domingo), a hustler-bully who forced his young sons to rehearse and perform when they were obviously exhausted and whipped them with a belt when they protested, despite pleas from their devoted mother, Katherine (Nia Long).
Eventually, Michael bonds with entertainment lawyer John Branca (Miles Teller), who terminates Joe’s managerial involvement with a one-sentence fax — after which Michael created and recorded “Thriller.”
In this film, Jafar Jackson, the 29-year-old son of Michael’s older brother Jermaine, embodies his elfin uncle, demonstrating his dancing skills — not just the trademark Moonwalk but also the Toe Stand, the Spin and the Robot, concluding with the 1988 Bad World Tour.
I met Michael Jackson twice — in September, 2001, at a party at Tavern on the Green after his performance at Madison Square Garden and again when he was Best Man at the wedding of Liza Minnelli and David Gest in March, 2002. Michael’s soft-spoken vulnerability was obvious, along with his sensitivity and innate shyness interacting in-person with strangers on a one-to-one basis.
Michael Jackson died at age 50 in 2009 of acute propofol intoxication. So, what does the future hold?
“Michael” is Part 1 — since the words “His story continues …” appear on screen at the film’s conclusion. Will the next installment deal with his extensive cosmetic surgeries and well-known eccentricities — who knows?
Susan Granger is a product of Hollywood. Her natural father, S. Sylvan Simon, was a director and producer at M.G.M. and Columbia Pictures. Her adoptive father, Armand Deutsch, produced movies at M.G.M.
As a child, Susan appeared in movies with Abbott & Costello, Red Skelton, Lucille Ball, Margaret O’Brien, and Lassie. She attended Mills College in California, studying journalism with Pierre Salinger, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with highest honors in journalism.