I Am Ali
Dir: Clare Lewins
2014
****
There are quite a few documentaries about the great Muhammad Ali and a very credible biopic. How much is there to really know about the guy? Well Clare Lewins's film; I Am Ali is about Ali the man rather than the boxing, like George Foreman puts it "..he's more than a Boxer, Boxing is just something he did". I didn't know the extent of his political ventures, some are discussed but there are things such as his visit to see Saddam Hussein before the Gulf War that aren't mentioned for instance. The big pull of the film is the recording he made of himself taking to his children throughout his career. His compassion behind the showman is what is explored and it is most prominent. The style Lewins has told this story is refreshingly different to your typical documentary, the creative flare used in the editing is most effective. There isn't much more for fans to learn but Ali is one of the most watchable, most photographic and biggest of characters, it's just a joy to see new footage and hear fresh discussion. The only thing I didn't like was that everyone, apart from his Daughter, spoke about him in the past tense. A bit sad given that at the time of filming in 2014 he is very much still alive.