MICHAEL JACKSON'S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL
US, 2016, 93 minutes, Colour.
Michael Jackson.
Interviews: Joe Jackson, Marvin Jackson, Jackie Jackson, Randy Jackson, Tito Jackson, Quincy Jones, John Branca, Kobe Bryant, David Byrne, Rob Cowan, Bobby Colombo, Barry Michael Cooper, Misty Copeland, Lee Daniels, Spike Lee, Kenny Gamble, Berry Gordy, Leon Huff, John Legend, John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez, Greg Phillinganes, Mark Ronson, Joel Schumacher, Maurice Warfield, The Weekend, Harry Weinberg, Pharrell Williams, Stevie Wonder, Carole Bayer Seger.
Archive Footage: Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Eddie Murphy, Sammy Davis Jr, Marvin gaye III, LaToya? Jackson, Liza Minnelli, Paul McCartney?, Diana Ross, Justin Timberlake.
Directed by Spike Lee.
It is quite extraordinary to look back at the late 1960s and the whole of the 1970s to appreciate the impact in the music world, tours and on television the impact of the Jackson Five and, of course, Michael Jackson at a very young age and as lead singer.
What is in the consciousness of most audiences is Michael Jackson subsequent life, his growing eccentricity and isolation, the issue of his skin colour, his relationships, marriages and children, accusations about his dealings with young children, court cases… Audiences also remember medication issues and the sadness of his death.
One of the best documentaries about Michael Jackson is This is It, made not long after his death, charting his rehearsals for his forthcoming tour, seeing him in the rehearsals, singing, dancing, perfectionism, but also the repercussions on his health and mental status.
Spike Lee has been a long admirer of Michael Jackson. His company, 40 Acres and a Mule, has produced quite a number of documentaries as well as feature films, channels for Spike Lee’s creativity, his angers, his vehemence against racism, his protest against gun violence in the African- American community, especially in random killings.
But, what is done here, is to go through a great deal of archival material and then interview a considerable number of people who knew Michael Jackson, worked with him, composed songs, arranged music, producers.
The film takes us back to the late 1960s with a great deal of footage of the Jackson Five and Michael singing and dancing, showing his growth in age during the 1970s until he was 20 in 1979 with the production of the album, many considering it his best, Off the Wall. It is extraordinary to look back and see how he developed as an artist during his teen years. The film does not go beyond the 1970s except for some footage of concerts in 1981 and some mentions of his album, Thriller. Audiences are asked by Spike Lee just to consider Michael Jackson at this time, his talent and his impact.
The range of music is quite extraordinary, the initial songs, the work of the brothers together under the sponsorship of their father who is interviewed – as well as a small interview with the Jackson’s mother. his brothers, Marlon and Jackie offer more extended commentary. The film shows the Motown period especially with appreciative interviews with Berry Gordy and tributes to him for his insights into Jackson’s career and music arrangements. Other composers, like Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff also offer their opinions as do quite a number of producers for the transition when the Jacksons left Motown to become more independent, to make their own music.
There is also the highlighting of Michael Jackson singing Ben, especially at the Oscar ceremony of 1973 and the enormous impact of that song.
The film shows Michael Jackson’s development as a singer but also his love for dance, explaining how he sat in on so many rehearsals, discussions, with the key artists of the time, also quoting a letter that he wrote talking about wanting to be the best and his commitment to perfectionism. He is seen rehearsing singing; he is seen perpetually dancing; he is seen rehearsing the particular moves that became so characteristic of him.
There is very interesting footage of interviews with Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly and their praising him as a dancer.
At the end of the film, Michael Jackson is only 20 or just over – and there are almost 3 more decades of his life and career to come.
Michael Jackson fans will appreciate the opportunity to remember him and his work. those interested in the history of American music will also appreciate the visuals, the audio, and the many interviews from later cultural commentators, biographers, music arrangers, stars who are influenced by him, Rosie Perez, John Leguizamo, and an excerpt from Spike Lee himself who directed one of the music videos in the late 1970s and more contemporary singers like Pharrell Williams and all the comments on the impact of Michael Jackson.
