This movie is based upon the life of Jack Johnson, the African-American boxer that was a champion at the turn of the century. What happened to Jack Johnson was despicable. He was tried and convicted of violating the Mann Act for which he had to flee the country to avoid prison time. The Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910 was an Act to further regulate interstate and foreign commerce by prohibiting the transportation therein for immoral purposes of women and girls, and for other purposes. It was liberally used against Jack Johnson for dating a white woman.
As for the movie, I wasn't terribly impressed. There was some serious dramatization which didn't make the movie good, it only made it preachy and angry. Whether Papa Jack Johnson was a likeable man or not I don't know, but he certainly was portrayed as a very brash and miserable character only a mother could love. To be honest, I'd like to see another movie done about Jack Johnson. They did two movies for Steve Jobs, they can do two for Jack Johnson.
As for the movie, I wasn't terribly impressed. There was some serious dramatization which didn't make the movie good, it only made it preachy and angry. Whether Papa Jack Johnson was a likeable man or not I don't know, but he certainly was portrayed as a very brash and miserable character only a mother could love. To be honest, I'd like to see another movie done about Jack Johnson. They did two movies for Steve Jobs, they can do two for Jack Johnson.