tech
Michael Jackson biopic revives American ideal of earned greatness
It is difficult to convey exactly how famous Michael Jackson was in the 1980s, because our increasingly fragmented, online culture is no longer capable of producing fame of such scale or universal reach. But director Antoine Fuqua’s new biopic, Michael, succeeds in giving us at least a glimpse of an era when the King of Pop reigned supreme.
TL;DR
- The biopic "Michael" captures the unprecedented fame of Michael Jackson in the 1980s, an era of universal reach that is hard to replicate today.
- The film highlights Jackson's sweeping artistic vision and seamless fusion of disparate musical genres, horror imagery, and theatrical spectacle.
- It portrays Jackson's greatness as a result of tenacious discipline, imagination, and talent, detailing his early life under the stern tutelage of his father, Joseph Jackson.
- The narrative emphasizes Jackson's journey toward self-determination and artistic independence after a break with his father.
- The film showcases Jackson's revolutionary impact on dance and music, blending street styles, jazz, and influences from classic performers.
- It presents Jackson's success, including his push for "Billie Jean" on MTV, as an achievement earned through talent, commercial appeal, and hard work, reflecting an American ideal of meritocracy.
- The biopic also reflects on the memory of a more unified popular culture where greatness could command national admiration.