Literary HackInvictus Invigorates
December 15th 2009 21:45
Clint Eastwood has done it yet again! Eastwood directs Invictus, the true story of Nelson Mandela's (Morgan Freeman) campaign with South African rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) to help rid the country of its cultural divide.
Mandela was elected President of South Africa in 1994, a time when the country had recently survived apartheid and suffered much economic trouble and racially instability. Mandela hopes to furthur unite South Africa through the South African rugby team. Mandela unites with team captain, Peinaar, helping to assist and inspire the mostly white team in their quest for a championship in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Morgan Freeman might look almost identical to Nelson Mandela. He might have similar mannerisms, tone, and personality traits that Mandela had. This however does not dismiss, in any way, the amazing acting job of Freeman. He turned himself into Mandela as much as any man could. He personified a compassionate, righteous leader with a Herculean task ahead of him. Freeman occasionally was cute enough to give the audience a chuckle, but careful to never vacate the intense seriousness of the film.
Matt Damon once again delivers a stellar perfomance as South African Sprinbok's captain, Francois Pienaar. While I'm sure he didn't master the accent he certainly made it believable enough to keep the movie Eastwood-credible. Damon does an excellent job portraying a young man who is confused and understanding at the same time. He knows his job is to carry through with Mandela's wish for the Springboks to win the World Cup, but at first does not exactly understand why. As Damon starts to realize the significance of his would-be accomplishments, he becomes the leader Mandela is looking for. While at first glimpse, I wondered if Damon should have had more scenes throughout the film, I realized Eastwood's intention was correct in concentrating on the state of South America and Mandela's impact on it while using the rugby team as a symbol of both hope and success of Mandela's campaign.
Eastwood has become one of the best director's in modern history. Time and again he delivers master works concentrating on narrow, specific events to make a far bigger social statement. As far as Invictus goes, Eastwood shoots beautifully and delivers powerful scenes. There is a wonderfully powerful scene in which Pienaar goes to Mandela's old cell of 27 years and watches Mandela go through his daily life as though Mandela was there with him. Eastwood uses scenes to capture the tension between races such as when the white secret service meet Mandela's black security team, but also to show it's unity in scenes like with a little black child listening to the championship game with two while cops.
While any movie involving Eastwood, Freeman, and Damon should be excellent, it was refreshing to see one that did not disappoint, even surpassed expectations.
Mandela was elected President of South Africa in 1994, a time when the country had recently survived apartheid and suffered much economic trouble and racially instability. Mandela hopes to furthur unite South Africa through the South African rugby team. Mandela unites with team captain, Peinaar, helping to assist and inspire the mostly white team in their quest for a championship in the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
Director Clint Eastwood on the set of Invictus.
Morgan Freeman might look almost identical to Nelson Mandela. He might have similar mannerisms, tone, and personality traits that Mandela had. This however does not dismiss, in any way, the amazing acting job of Freeman. He turned himself into Mandela as much as any man could. He personified a compassionate, righteous leader with a Herculean task ahead of him. Freeman occasionally was cute enough to give the audience a chuckle, but careful to never vacate the intense seriousness of the film.
Freeman flies down to rugby practice to wish the team good luck--and to inspire Pienaar with the poem, "Invictus."
Matt Damon once again delivers a stellar perfomance as South African Sprinbok's captain, Francois Pienaar. While I'm sure he didn't master the accent he certainly made it believable enough to keep the movie Eastwood-credible. Damon does an excellent job portraying a young man who is confused and understanding at the same time. He knows his job is to carry through with Mandela's wish for the Springboks to win the World Cup, but at first does not exactly understand why. As Damon starts to realize the significance of his would-be accomplishments, he becomes the leader Mandela is looking for. While at first glimpse, I wondered if Damon should have had more scenes throughout the film, I realized Eastwood's intention was correct in concentrating on the state of South America and Mandela's impact on it while using the rugby team as a symbol of both hope and success of Mandela's campaign.
The real Nelson Mandela congratulating Fracois Pienaar on the team's victory.
Eastwood has become one of the best director's in modern history. Time and again he delivers master works concentrating on narrow, specific events to make a far bigger social statement. As far as Invictus goes, Eastwood shoots beautifully and delivers powerful scenes. There is a wonderfully powerful scene in which Pienaar goes to Mandela's old cell of 27 years and watches Mandela go through his daily life as though Mandela was there with him. Eastwood uses scenes to capture the tension between races such as when the white secret service meet Mandela's black security team, but also to show it's unity in scenes like with a little black child listening to the championship game with two while cops.
While any movie involving Eastwood, Freeman, and Damon should be excellent, it was refreshing to see one that did not disappoint, even surpassed expectations.
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