*1/2 out of ****
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon
Running time: 134 minutes
Even the very best sports teams don’t win every game. This statement applies to award-winning director Clint Eastwood, whose latest film, Invictus, doesn’t score.
For a film with such a formidable subject, former South African president Nelson Mandela, Invictus plays it safe. It’s certainly well-acted, but much of it feels false and inauthentic, flat and simplistic, under-written and over-directed.
There’s a compelling film waiting to be made from John Carlin’s enlightening and critically acclaimed book "Playing the Enemy." Invictus is far from it.
The date is February 11, 1990, and Nelson Mandela has just been released from prison. Young Africans boys on a musty soccer field rejoice, hooting and hollering as their future leader's entourage drives through their slum.
White, affluent rugby-playing onlookers stare in silence. Their coach tells them, “This is the day our country went to the dogs.”
Fast-forward four years, and Mandela (Morgan Freeman) has won the national election. Tensions are high, even among officials and secretaries who work for him. In a noble move, the President merges his security team to consist of both black and white bodyguards.
Early in his term, Mandela attends a casual game of rugby, and shakes the hands of the national union team, the Springboks. At the game, he notices that Black Africans cheer against their home team (to them, a symbol of white power and administration).
Mandela imagines an intriguing method to melt the woes of his country, his "family of 42 million." He meets with the Springbok captain, the dedicated Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon), and pledges full support upon the team.
Pienaar soon realizes that the President is bestowing his faith in the Springboks to win the upcoming World Cup, as a means to unify white and black South Africans and inspire the nation.
There’s only one actor capable of portraying leader Nelson Mandela, and it’s Morgan Freeman. I mean, Mandela even said so himself.
The Oscar-winner and narrator extraordinaire has the warmth, grace and dignity that the much-heralded leader is synonymous with. Freeman could play Mandela in his sleep and still win an accolade or four.
Damon is also very good as Pienaar. By very good, I’m referring mainly to his South African accent. That tricky intonation is the essence of his performance, considering the depth screenwriter Anthony Peckham allows for the character. He has a girlfriend and family, is the captain of the rugby team, and is intimidated by the President. That’s about it.
Peckham’s weak script keeps the story flat, characters slight and atmosphere - the racially tense 1990s South Africa - almost entirely free of conflict.
Many of the film’s minor characters, comprised of Mandela’s troupe of security officials and the Springbok athletes, are sorely one-dimensional. They are always exasperated by routinely adjusting to Mandela's “Rainbow Nation" concept.
Invictus portrays South Africa’s Secret Service and their national athletic treasure are sissies, incapable of emotional complexity.
Even much of Mandela’s dialogue is contrived. Just because he’s an inspirational figure should not automatically make his words feel as if they were randomly pasted from a selection of spiritual mantras or Obama-esque speeches.
Still, it’s not only the one-note script that detracts from the film. It’s the condescending, calculated way in which Eastwood attempts to serenade his audience with hope and inspiration.
From the endearing, high-pitched musical score to the bloated, cliché-ridden finale (shot in overbearing slow-motion) to the wildly unnecessary visit by the rugby players to Robben Island, (where Mandela was imprisoned) which results in an overwhelming epiphany to perform with greatness, very few moments register as either authentic or compelling.
At its heart, Invictus is a great film. It has a wonderful message, a fascinating subject and an excellent performance from Morgan Freeman.
Unfortunately, Eastwood and screenwriter Peckham have also orchestrated a history lesson with the depth, detail and perspective of a third grade textbook.
For Eastwood, responsible for 2004’s knockout Million Dollar Baby, to play it so completely safe is a shame. He hopes the film will succeed for its "Why can't we all just get along?" motto. But, devoid of character, vigor or uplift, Invictus solely becomes a lesson in racial tolerance.
Still, can Eastwood return to his A-game after this misfire? I’m feeling lucky, punk.
Very nice review, JZA. Thing is, I want to see this movie anyway with my dad mostly because I've been to South Africa and my dad grew up there. Even with the low rating you gave the movie, would you still recommend it for those who have a connection to the country or is it that badly directed?
ReplyDeleteWith a rating of **/**** it feels as if you'd recommend that others do not take the time to see this film. I felt that there was a little too much time spent on the rugby, but those with the passion for rugby will probably appreciate it. Morgan Freeman was convincing as Mandela, however I spent too much time thinking about Matt Damon versus his character. Perhaps a star shouldn't have been cast in that role.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the message was positive and we need reminders to have compassion and forgiveness. During this season, and during the current volatility throughout the world, perhaps we could all use a movie to lift our spirits in a way that Santa can't.