Rating of
3/4
Eastwood, Freeman, Rugby - A Winning Combination
Chris Kavan - wrote on 12/14/09
If you're expecting a biopic or a really deep look into Nelson Mandela, you'll probably be disappointed. However, as long as you're not seeking any revelations, and enjoy the film for what it is, you will be impressed.
Clint Eastwood has rarely disappointed as director. I think Invictus is another victory. First off, the casting is impeccable. I can think of nobody better than Morgan Freeman to play Mandela. It's a tailor-made role. He brings the right inflection to play the leader of a country teetering between its new-found freedom and its simmering tension. Yet some of his best scenes are when he's having a good time - dancing, making a friendly wager, cheering for his team - even Mandela has a light side and it's great to see that Freeman can be serious but still have a playful side.
At the other end you have Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the beleaguered leader of South Africa's struggling rugby team - Springboks. His dad is bigoted, as are most of his teammates. There's no spark, no fire - and it shows in their defeats. When Mandela takes a personal interest in the team - which the whites of his country respect and the blacks hate (they cheer for whoever Springboks plays).
In one telling scene a poor South African child rejects a Springboks jersey even though he has nothing - as the aide worker says, the other children will beat him. Yet Mandela realizes that the Springboks are needed. So he courts Pienaar, inspires him knowing that if they make the international championships it will mean his country will be on the world stage, front and center, and in a good light.
There is more going on, like the tension in Mandela's personal guard and all-too brief looks into Mandela's troubled family life. I kind of wish they would have spent more time on Mandela the man, and less time on rugby, but if you're going to make a feel-good film, you need more good feelings than not. Still, I'm glad the few glimpses away from rugby were used as it gave more emotional punch to the story.
This movie should be up for a few Oscars and deserves them. Whether it emerge victorious? That I can't say, but it certainly would be justified.
