One Night In Miami Review - 8 Ups & 0 Downs
4. Script
Adapted from the stage production, One Night In Miami simply wouldn't work without its engaging script and captivating dialogue. There is no sense of Tarantino-ism, in which he bends historical characters to his own style, there is instead, each individual voice in that room and all of them are their own.
The arguments between the four are just as important as the moments of brotherhood and substance, their joys are short-lived, as is their anger. The script never allows them to abandon one another, and that is the crux of the whole movie.
It never feels stage-y at any one time either, which is a triumph of both the writer, Kemp Powers, and director, Regina King. The change in locations and reasoning for staying in one place are totally valid and justified within the context of where they are and who they are.
It is the hardest thing to adapt something from the stage and not make the film feel like the whole project is lifted from another medium, but Kemp Powers does it stunningly here. Be sure Powers will find himself nominated for a slew of awards when the season arrives.