I really liked the begining and the end. But it could have been a little bit shorter. it got to slow and flat in the middle. Overall, they found very good actors, who did great portraits of the main characters. And Odem Jr, wow - almost Identical singing to Sam Cooke(!). A Good movie, but theres something missing for it to be a really Good one! Its almost more as a "theatrical play" then a movie sometimes.

This movie has several things going for it. It's very well-acted, and it has some really strong scenes and moments. Still, it's hard to say that this movie is truly great.

Set against the 1960s and Ali's victory, four influential Black men meet in a motel room and talk about the role of civil rights, their responsibility of influence, how to fight, how to win, what does power mean. How all four men wielded their power different and the 'right way' The conversation between Sam and 'Clay' in the car got me. The conversation of power to exist without constraint. Got me. 65 years and what these men dream haven't been fully realized. 'We aren't weapons' And the gut punch on the porch took my breath And Odon's voice 7.5 It was limited as a film as it was play first and seemed like Ma Rainey to have existed best like that. Still excellent but doesn't transfer seemlessly.