O.J. Simpson and Muhammad Ali
O.J.: Made in America isn't just about the O.J. trial. It's a comprehensive biography of Simpson as a public figure. The 11-month trial itself is complex enough, but this film goes even further and provides context for who he became and why the trial became so politically-charged. It also examines the wide philosophical and political gulf separating Simpson from many other famous African-American sports figures of his era. There's also plenty of attention paid to the stark contrasts between the Heisman-winner and most other African-American Angelenos. The doc is particularly timely in light of the current racial tensions in this country and the near-daily revelations of police misconduct (in some cases, murder) caught on video. There's a reason that America is in the title. It's worth noting that Made in America currently holds a 100% rating on the review site Rotten Tomatoes.
Everyone involved is represented here: the prosecution; the defense team; the LAPD; LA civil rights activists; the Goldman and Brown families; the jurors; and even Simpson's life-long friends. The filmmakers were wise enough to not take a side. What they did do was to provide something infinitely more valuable: much-needed insight.
Originally Published: 6/15/16
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