In today’s cinematic climate, biopics are often engineered to win awards and dominate opening weekends. They check familiar boxes—big-name actor, emotional monologues, safe political commentary, and glossy storytelling. But Michael Mann’s Ali (2001), now streaming on Netflix, is a different breed. It’s not just a biopic—it’s a bold, poetic, and politically charged film that dared to dig beneath the surface. It invites us not only to watch a legend, but to wrestle with the man behind the myth.
A Decade That Defined the Legend
Rather than spanning Muhammad Ali’s entire life, the film laser-focuses on a turbulent, defining ten-year stretch from 1964 to 1974. These were the years that saw him rise to become heavyweight champion of the world, convert to Islam, change his name from Cassius Clay, refuse to serve in the Vietnam War, and endure exile from boxing before reclaiming his crown in the historic “Rumble in the Jungle.” Mann’s approach is deliberate—he chooses depth over breadth, capturing the psychological, spiritual, and social transformation of a man who was as much a symbol as he was a fighter.
This focus allows Ali to feel intimate even while engaging with global issues. It highlights the personal cost of conviction. Ali wasn’t just fighting in the ring—he was battling racism, imperialism, and personal doubt. Each moment is steeped in the energy of a man grappling with his role in history, sometimes reluctantly.
Will Smith’s Career-Defining Performance
Before Ali, Will Smith was best known for charisma-driven roles. Here, he transcended expectations. He gained 35 pounds of muscle, studied hours of archival footage, and fully immersed himself in Ali’s speech, swagger, and spirit. Smith didn’t just mimic the boxer—he embodied him. It was a transformative performance that earned him his first Academy Award nomination for Best Actor.
He captures Ali’s contradictions with sensitivity—his brashness and vulnerability, ego and empathy, bravado and self-doubt. Whether taunting Sonny Liston, grappling with Malcolm X’s assassination, or enduring the cost of his anti-war stance, Smith delivers a performance that feels lived-in and deeply respectful.
More Than a Sports Movie
Mann and screenwriter Stephen J. Rivele ensure Ali isn’t just a sports movie with a historical backdrop. It’s a social drama, a psychological study, and an exploration of faith, race, and resistance in America. The film places Ali within the context of the civil rights movement, Black nationalism, and Cold War politics, showing how his life intersected with larger ideological battles.
The boxing scenes—gritty, choreographed, and pulsing with tension—are just one layer. The heart of the film lies in Ali’s private moments: his faith discussions with Elijah Muhammad, his heartbreak over Malcolm X, and his strained relationships. These scenes give the film its soul and elevate it beyond genre conventions.
A Film That Feels More Relevant Than Ever
Over two decades later, Ali still feels urgent. As conversations around racial justice, religious freedom, and political activism surge globally, the film serves as both a time capsule and a mirror. In an era where many biopics shy away from hard questions, Ali stares them down.
Its arrival on Netflix now feels serendipitous—or perhaps strategic. The world is once again turning to stories of resistance and resilience, and Ali’s legacy speaks louder than ever. Streaming it today offers a chance to rediscover a film that didn’t just aim to entertain—it aimed to challenge.
Final Word: Ali is the Biopic Standard
While today’s biopics are often curated for comfort, Ali reminds us that the genre can—and should—be bold. It’s not just the story of a boxer, but of a revolutionary spirit who refused to be silenced. In a world saturated with manufactured inspiration, Ali hits with the force of truth.
