What's My Name

Scholars of American sport will not miss much by failing to invest the three-or-so hours needed to watch this two-part Hbo documentary, the first major documentary about Muhammad Ali released since his death in 2016. Despite a bombardment of images and words, What's My Name will leave viewers with little significant insight into the legendary boxing champion. This is especially true of the second half of the film, which falls into the deadly trap of simply moving from fight to fight to fight, and Ali had over thirty bouts between 1971 and 1981, as if this would somehow suffice as representation of his life and times. What's My Name devises its entire script and mise-en-scéne from primary sources, namely archival film footage and sound clips, with Ali in virtually every shot, to some positive effect. The length and approach of the film virtually guarantees that even seasoned Ali scholars will gain exposure to quotes or clips that they have never before seen, or do not remember seeing. Those who have never studied Ali may learn a lot, but they still could do much better, frankly. The 1990 Eyes on the Prize documentary episode “Ain't Gonna Shuffle No More,” for example, captures over a decade of Ali's life and times in twenty-five minutes and in more depth than What's My Name explores any topic

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