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

Michael Jackson film is a 'whitewash' and 'ghoulish', critics sayJust nowShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleSteven McIntoshEntertainment reporterUniversalMichael Jackson's nephew Jaafar was widely praised for his performance, but critics had several issues with the film as a wholeCritics have described the new Michael Jackson biopic as a "whitewash", with several film reviewers saying it tells a "sanitised" version of his life and career.The singer's nephew Jaafar Jackson portrays the singer in Michael, which follows the King of Pop'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.Getty ImagesJaafar Jackson is the King of Pop's nephew and the son of Jackson 5 singer Jermaine (left)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 als...