Michael Jackson film is a 'whitewash' and 'ghoulish', critics say

Film critics have described the new Michael Jackson biopic as a "whitewash", with several reviewers saying it tells a "sanitised" version of his life and career.

The singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays the King of Pop in Michael, which follows the star's rise to fame with the Jackson 5 through to his hugely successful solo career.

But the movie does not address the sexual abuse allegations against Jackson, after a historic non-disclosure agreement (NDA) prompted some footage referencing them to be scrapped.

The Hollywood Reporter said the film "delivers for lifelong fans who cherish the music", but the Telegraph noted that it "refuses to address the elephant in the room".

Michael is financially backed by the late superstar's estate and uses his original vocals for the musical numbers, which dominate the film.

Jaafar Jackson, the son of Jermaine Jackson, was generally praised for the portrayal of his uncle, but the film as a whole was less well received.

In a two-star review the Guardian's Peter Bradshaw said the movie is "rammed with every music-movie cliche" and plays "like a 127-minute trailer montage".

"This is a frustratingly shallow, inert picture, a kind of cruise-ship entertainment, which can't quite bring itself to show that Michael was an abuse victim, brutalised by his father and robbed of his childhood," he wrote, also noting the allegations against Jackson himself.

Oscar nominee Colman Domingo plays the singer's father Joe Jackson in the film, which also stars Nia Long as mother Katherine Jackson, and Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller as entertainment lawyer John Branca.

Awarding only one star, the Independent's Clarisse Loughrey described the film as a "ghoulish, soulless cash grab".

She compared Michael to other recent music biopics, commenting that "the line between 'cinema' and 'merchandise' has come close to being obliterated".

"All Michael does is recreate, in mechanical style, the most famous visuals of Jackson's career," she said. "It's certainly easier that way. Why bother to depict a human........

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