One Night in Miami... (2020)

O’Sullivan enthusiastically praises Regina King’s film as an electrifying, moving achievement, though she wishes it lasted longer. She singles out Kingsley Ben-Adir’s intense portrayal of Malcolm X and the ensemble’s performances, especially Leslie Odom Jr’s singing.

Erbland calls the film a powerful, emotionally grounded directorial debut. She especially praises the revelatory performances and the film’s vivid portrayal of the men’s friendship and conflicts.

Jones gives the film a strongly positive verdict, calling it a fresh insight into historical figures and a promising start for Regina King. She especially praises the cast’s performances, singling out Eli Goree’s lively portrayal of Ali.

Chang gives the film a strongly positive verdict, praising its wit, compassion and refusal of easy answers. He singles out the actors’ harmonized performances and King’s disciplined, fluid direction.

Gleiberman finds the drama compelling and moving, praising Regina King’s confident direction for making the motel-room gathering feel authentic. He especially singles out the performances, which bring out the legends’ contradictions and vulnerabilities.

Rooney finds the adaptation stirring and skillfully directed, despite its lingering stage-bound quality. He especially praises the charismatic performances, singling out Kingsley Ben-Adir’s quietly impassioned portrayal of Malcolm X.

Flint describes Regina King’s directorial debut as assured, emotionally intelligent and vivid. She singles out its exploration of Black masculinity and the differing perspectives of the four men.

Cole finds the film an intimate, empathetic portrait that grows stronger once it settles into its central gathering. He particularly praises Kingsley Ben-Adir’s soulful, morally urgent portrayal of Malcolm X.

Brody finds the film a compelling, carefully controlled drama that turns a private gathering into a debate about public responsibility. He especially praises the ensemble performances and King’s direction of the actors.

The review describes Regina King’s directorial debut as forceful and impactful. It singles out the film’s punch as its key strength.

Romney finds the film immensely watchable and an affecting evocation of a pivotal moment in Black America. He singles out the magnetic performances of Kingsley Ben-Adir and Leslie Odom Jr. and their interplay.

The review finds Regina King’s adaptation humane, politically thoughtful, and grounded, despite a slow start. It especially praises the four lead performances, singling out Hodge and Ben-Adir for their subtlety and vulnerability.

Macnab finds the film poignant and emotionally affecting, praising Regina King’s convincing portrayal of four complex personalities. He also singles out the electrifying scene in which Sam Cooke calms a hostile audience with “Chain Gang.”

The critic finds the film powerful and compelling, connecting its conversations to the struggles of Black America and the present day. She especially praises the cast and the production design, costumes and cinematography that recreate the period.

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Shaw finds the film thoughtful but constrained by softened dialogue and performances that do not fully capture its historical figures. She singles out Leslie Odom Jr.’s singing, especially the concert sequence that becomes the film’s most powerful scene.

The critic finds the film timely and its central figures compelling, but says it ultimately fails to pack a punch. She praises the nuanced performances, especially Leslie Odom Jr.’s portrayal of Sam Cooke, while faulting the film’s slow pace and stagey feel.

Goldberg finds the film a fascinating, electrifying drama, despite occasional sluggishness. He praises Regina King’s assured direction and the ensemble’s powerful performances, especially Kingsley Ben-Adir’s portrayal of Malcolm X.

Kermode finds the film powerful and essential viewing. She especially praises Kingsley Ben-Adir’s nuanced performance, while noting the strength of the ensemble.

The critic calls the film engrossing and praises Regina King's assured direction and the natural chemistry among its four leads. Kingsley Ben-Adir's emotionally spent portrayal of Malcolm X particularly stands out.

The review finds Regina King’s adaptation powerful and compelling. It especially praises Eli Goree’s standout performance as Cassius Clay.

Crump finds the film thoroughly entertaining and its conversations still urgent. He especially praises the cast’s natural chemistry and Kingsley Ben-Adir’s performance as Malcolm X.

The review calls the film a rewarding, triumphant directorial debut that finds psychological depth beneath its fictional gathering. It praises Regina King’s direction and the performances, especially Kingsley Ben-Adir’s anxious, inward portrayal of Malcolm X.

The critic finds Regina King’s feature debut ambitious and successful, turning a stage-bound premise into a vibrant historical drama. The performances of the four leads are singled out for bringing humanity and distinctiveness to the cultural icons.

The critic calls the film a quiet, contemplative, timely meditation on race, responsibility, and revolution. They praise Kingsley Ben-Adir and Leslie Odom Jr.’s nuanced performances and single out a scene intercutting Malcolm X’s story with Cooke’s performance.

The critic finds the film competent and engaging but ultimately plateauing without a dramatic climax. They praise the actors’ magnetic performances and the charged conversations about racial identity.