The release of "Michael," a new biopic centered around the life of Michael Jackson, has ignited a storm of controversy. Critics have accused the film of presenting a sanitized version of Jackson's life. Directed by Antoine Fuqua and starring Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, the biopic traces the pop icon's rise from child stardom with the Jackson 5 to his early solo success. However, the Daily Mail awarded the film only 2 stars, writing, "The storytelling is simplistic, the omissions egregious, but $200 million sure buys a fabulous karaoke act." Meanwhile, an industry outlet noted, "It feels like a deliberate effort to sidestep the most difficult chapters – audiences are left with spectacle rather than substance."
Despite denials, there is a prevailing belief that Jackson was guilty of rampant pedophilia, and not a single ounce of that is reflected in the film. They added, "What we are talking about here is a whitewash of his very controversial life and times." On the other hand, Michael Jackson's daughter, Paris Jackson, has publicly distanced herself from the biopic, branding it as a "botched production."
Moreover, Paris' sister declined to participate in the film, while another sister, LaToya Jackson, wished "everybody was in the movie." She said that Janet was asked "and she kindly declined, so you have to respect her wishes."
Despite the controversy, Fuqua defended the project, saying, "You're telling somebody's life. You want to make sure that they're happy." He noted that his intention was "just to tell the facts as we know it, about the artist, about the man, about the human being – the good, bad, and the ugly."
For those unaware, Michael Jackson passed away at the age of 50 in 2009 following cardiac arrest.
