SXSW Review: ‘Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes’

The title is just a tad misleading.

While “Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes” does indeed pivot on the 50-plus-year friendship between legendary heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali and erudite TV talk-show icon Dick Cavett, both director Robert S.

Bader and Cavett himself — frequent collaborators who co-wrote the film — always make it very clear who is the real star here, and who is no more (but, on the other hand, no less) than an affectionate admirer in his orbit.And talk about great timing: Equal parts nostalgic tribute, even-handed biography and compelling sociopolitical history lesson, this brisk yet substantial documentary about the would-famous fighter who arguably fought his most important battle outside the ring, seems especially relevant at a time when many NFL players are angrily condemned (by, among others, the president of the United States) for far less risky acts of defiance.Ali guested more than a dozen times

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