I had to stay in Dayton a few extra days waiting for my final Amazon purchase to arrive, so I decided to take in a movie at the theaters. Hoping to choose something worth my money, I ended up picking Clint Eastwood's latest, Invictus. The film follows Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) in his early days as president of South Africa.
To the surprise of probably no one, Freeman is wonderful as Mandela. Having played political leaders before, Freeman knows how to capture an audience both on and off screen. He easily embodies Mandela focusing on both the forgiving, gentle side of him as well as the determined workaholic. Too often recently Freeman has been relegated to supporting or narrator roles, so it was nice to see him front and center here delivering a typically strong performance of such an interesting political figure.
The story centers around Mandela's quest to unite the white and black people of South Africa through rugby. Prior to his presidency, the country's team had been predominantly white. Mandela believed he could unite his country by expressing his support of the team as they prepared for the World Cup. In another excellent performance, Matt Damon plays Francois, the captain of the rugby team who makes the initial efforts to work with Mandela. Once again, Damon continues to prove he is one of the most reliably consistent actors of his generation. He once again turns in a quality performance here that has already yielded him some awards buzz.
Invictus is interesting as it is a sports movie while trying its hardest not to be. The film does not go to great lengths to explain the game of rugby (although it probably would have helped to do so). Since the film is based on a true story, it's also able to avoid criticism of providing the happy ending that is typically associated with sports films. Yet, for all of its efforts to rise above the sports movie genre, it has difficulty doing so. The reason why rugby is featured here at all is because it's meant to illustrate the racial tensions that existed in South Africa at that time. However, those tensions are never truly explored. We get some glimpses of it through Francois' family and the mixed race security staff of Mandela. These examples merely pay lip service to the issue and never provide any real conflict for the movie.
This is the film's sole problem. It never gets the audience truly invested in the country's problems. Aside from having a general sense of knowing bigotry is wrong, we never really see it occurring for the film's central characters. To the unknowing, the film may actually serve as a disservice because every character's goals seem to come so easily. Mandela wants racial harmony? You got it! Francois wants to win the World Cup? Done! I guess it's fitting that this film come out at Christmas time since everyone gets what they want all wrapped up with a nice little bow.
While the big picture may be a bit simplistic, I did appreciate the film's smaller moments. I'm thinking particularly of the scene where the rugby team visit's a group of poor black children. The scene is touching and heartfelt without crossing the line and become schmaltzy. It's in these moments where Eastwood's skill as a director really shine. He really has a fine touch at showing humanity in its most primative form.
In the end this a very nice film. It's got great acting, looks beautiful, and has an uplifting climax. However, what prevents this film from getting any serious awards consideration or lasting recognition is its complete lack of impact that it will have on you. You'll leave the theater thinking 'that was nice' and not really having a lot more to say beyond that. For such an important historical figure like Mandela, it would have been nice had that importance been reflected in the film. Don't see this for a history lesson, but if you need an emotional pick-me-up this will suit just fine. Grade: B+
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