Malcolm X (1992)
Minor criminal Malcolm Little (Denzel Washington) is arrested for robbing the home of a wealthy white couple and sentenced to eight to ten years in prison because of his association with white women. In prison, he joins the Nation of Islam led by Elijah Muhammad and changes his name to Malcolm X. After he delivers a controversial speech following the assassination of President Kennedy, Muhammad ostracizes his charismatic protegé.
In response, Malcolm rededicates himself to his faith and goes on a hajj. When he returns, he announces plans to form a rival mosque, but the Nation of Islam has him assassinated before he can follow through with his plans.
Washington is phenomenal, delivering the firebrand passion we expect, but also highlighting Malcolm’s insecurity and isolation, making him a sympathetic figure.
Spike Lee’s focus on the experiences of black America makes him an important cinematic voice, but it limits him. Realizing this, his later career has expanded into broader films such as 25th Hour (2002), Inside Man (2006), and Oldboy (2013).
A pivotal figure in the Civil Rights movement, Malcolm X remains relevant because his strategy offers a counterbalance to Martin Luther King’s message of nonviolent resistance.
Heaven Knows, Mr. Allison (1957)
Fighting in the Pacific front, Marine Corporal Allison (Robert Mitchum) is separated from his reconnaissance team. He makes it to what he assumes is a deserted island to discover a novice nun, Sister Angela (Deborah Kerr) already stranded there.
As the pair grow closer, Allison wants to pursue a romantic relationship, but Sister Angela remains devoted to her faith. After an American envoy rescues them, they tearfully part.
Mitchum excelled in cynical roles like this, while Kerr brings just enough doubt and insecurity to keep Sister Angela from becoming a parody.
John Huston had a penchant for filming on location in exotic locales and uses Trinidad and Tobago as a silent, third member of the party.
The film draws parallels between Allison’s military discipline and the dogmatic Catholicism followed by Sister Angela. While this is a fair comparison, it minimizes the different nature of the two institutions. There’s a strong allure for Allison and Angela to wind up together, but it would have cheapened her faith. By keeping their relationship platonic, the film reminds us of the sacrifices required by a purposeful life.
Unfaithful (2002)
Connie (Diane Lane) and Edward Sumner (Richard Gere) have a good, but slightly stale marriage. While in New York City, Connie has a chance encounter with a Frenchman, Paul, and begins a passionate affair.
Edward discovers the affair and kills Paul during a heated confrontation. After her lover’s disappearance, Connie slowly realizes Edward’s guilt and the movie ends ambiguously as they debate admitting their involvement in the crime.
Diane Lane and Richard Gere give decent performances, but the film is too small and the stakes aren’t high enough. It should have been released on Lifetime and not in theaters.
Adrian Lynne’s work focuses on infidelity and chance sexual encounters. He had some early success with Fatal Attraction (1987), but Indecent Proposal (1996) was laughably bad and this film commits a worse sin, it’s boring.