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Review: ‘Michael’ biopic glosses over pop star’s faults

The musical biopic Michael stars Jaafar Jackson as his uncle Michael Jackson, opening in Gary, Indiana, in 1968. Notably, the film omits appearances by Diana Ross and Janet Jackson despite the family's heavy production involvement.
With six executive producers sharing the surname Jackson, critics describe the film as 'estate-approved.' The narrative depicts young Michael as a 'Lost Boy' reading Peter Pan while enduring strict discipline from his father, Joe.
Clarisse Loughrey of The Independent labeled the movie 'soulless' and 'visually and spiritually ugly,' arguing it seeks only to deliver fan content. The Times critic Kevin Maher praised the music scenes as 'brilliant,' offering contrasting perspective.
Brian Viner in the Daily Mail dismissed the film as 'Sanctifying bullshit,' arguing the production depicts the singer as a kindly dreamer destined to 'spread love and heal.' This portrayal sidesteps darker aspects of his later life.
The biopic concludes in 1988, deliberately omitting later child abuse allegations and bed-sharing controversies. By ending before these events, the film avoids exploring Michael's full legacy, focusing instead on his rise to solo stardom.

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Review: ‘Michael’ biopic glosses over pop star’s faults

"Key moments in the singer’s life are absent, but that’s to be expected considering family members produced the film," Bruce Miller writes in his review of the biopic "Michael."

3 days ago

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The Week

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‘Soulless, estate-approved’ Michael biopic is a disgrace

Thanks to “Bohemian Rhapsody”, “the visually and spiritually ugly Queen film that won four Oscars and earned $910m worldwide”, we’ve had a spate of “soulless, estate-approved” biopics of famous musicians lately, said Clarisse Loughrey in The Independent. “Michael” is the latest of these. ‘Ghoulishness’It seeks not to understand Michael Jackson, nor to explore his legacy, but simply to deliver content for fans – the scenes from the star’s life th…

3 days ago·Washington, United States

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