Directed by Clint Eastwood; starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon
Dec 17, 2009 Lauren FlanaganInvictus is a powerful story about Nelson Mandela's quest for racial unity and national pride, but sadly, it never quite lives up to expectation.
In the 2009 drama Invictus, director Clint Eastwood takes a clichéd sports plot and turns it into a story about one determined man's quest for racial harmony and national unity. Based on John Carlin's book "Playing the Enemy," Eastwood and screenwriter Anthony Peckham tell the story of how the symbolic power of cheering for the home team can be used to unite a country on the verge of slipping into civil war.
The Story of Invictus
Following the fall of Apartheid, newly elected South African president Nelson Mandela faces some serious challenges in his disconnected nation. Looking for a way to unite his racially divided country, Mandela turns to the unifying power of popular culture, and throws his support behind the Springbok rugby team in its bid to win the 1995 World Cup. The challenge? Springbok is not only having a tough season, it is comprised almost completely of white players and is generally loathed by the black majority in South Africa who see it as a reminder of white separatist rule.
Mandela decides that by supporting the team, and using them as social currency, it sends a powerful symbolic message to the white community: the newly empowered black majority has no desire to abolish everything about South Africa’s past, despite what many may believe. As the Afrikaners must accept the black majority as their empowered equals, Mandela wants to show by example that forgiveness and a common desire for success can bring peace and harmony to the country.
Invictus Cast of Characters
Morgan Freeman (the only logical choice for this role) is convincing in his performance of the saintly leader. He embodies Mandela in every way, from his manner of speaking, to his walk and demeanor, to the gentleness in his eyes.
Matt Damon also shines, bringing a quiet forcefulness to the determined rugby captain whose country is relying on him to lead the team to victory. Hesitant and cautious at first, he soon comes to be powerfully affected by Mandela's strength and desire for harmony and togetherness.
Much of the supporting cast is excellent, in particular Tony Kgoroge and Patrick Mofokeng as the heads of Mandela's security team. On the request of the man himself, they are forced to work together with the same white men who once played a part in their oppression.
Where Invictus Fails
The problem with Invictus is that it lacks some of the emotion promised by the big name actors, director, and historical material. What could have been a powerful, gut-wrenching story about Mandela's quest for racial harmony and South African unity never quite hits where it should. Perhaps it's because too much time is spent in the nice parts of town. In very few scenes do we ever get a true sense of the real problems facing South Africa. Brief glimpses of crowded slums and quick glances of newspaper headlines about rising crime rates are the only real comments made about the country's desperate situation.
All in all, Invictus is a feel good movie that is relatively satisfying, but never gets far enough below the surface to become affecting. Inspiring in theory, but not as powerful as it could have been.
Rating: 7/10
Matt Damon also shines, bringing a quiet forcefulness to the determined rugby captain whose country is relying on him to lead the team to victory. Hesitant and cautious at first, he soon comes to be powerfully affected by Mandela's strength and desire for harmony and togetherness.
Much of the supporting cast is excellent, in particular Tony Kgoroge and Patrick Mofokeng as the heads of Mandela's security team. On the request of the man himself, they are forced to work together with the same white men who once played a part in their oppression.
Where Invictus Fails
The problem with Invictus is that it lacks some of the emotion promised by the big name actors, director, and historical material. What could have been a powerful, gut-wrenching story about Mandela's quest for racial harmony and South African unity never quite hits where it should. Perhaps it's because too much time is spent in the nice parts of town. In very few scenes do we ever get a true sense of the real problems facing South Africa. Brief glimpses of crowded slums and quick glances of newspaper headlines about rising crime rates are the only real comments made about the country's desperate situation.
All in all, Invictus is a feel good movie that is relatively satisfying, but never gets far enough below the surface to become affecting. Inspiring in theory, but not as powerful as it could have been.
Rating: 7/10
- Invictus
- Directed by: Clint Eastwood
- Written by: Anthony Peckham
- Starring Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng
- Runtime: 134 mins
