Film Review: Invictus
Rarely has a film been more concerned with presenting visual binary opposites than the Clint Eastwood directed Invictus. From the opening shots onwards, the audience is continually beaten over the head with the black and white dichotomy of South Africa. In fairness, it would be hard to tell the story of modern South Africa and not have the issue of skin colour at the forefront; however the approach taken by Eastwood leaves no scope for audience knowledge. Invictus is a film about South Africa but made with very American sensibilities, a combination which lacks subtlety.
Taking John Carlin’s book, Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game that Made a Nation, and turning it into a film which explores the relationship between Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman, Se7en, Million Dollar Baby) and the South African rugby captain, Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon, The Bourne Trilogy, The Informant!), seems to have Oscar-bait written all over it. Mandela’s struggle to unite South Africa, using the 1995 Rugby World Cup his country was hosting, is rousing and inspiring stuff; especially considering the mantle he used to bring his people together, the Springboks, was one of the most public embodiments of Apartheid for black South Africans.
In a role that he seems born to play, Morgan Freeman does a great job as Nelson Mandela. He has his voice and physical stance down to a tee, not to mention the gravitas both men seem to share. Matt Damon is perhaps a little less successful in the accent stakes, but his commitment to the role is evident in his rugby player shaped physic. What the film lacks is certainly not good actors. The problem is all the little choices that have been made regarding shot angles and soundtrack, and this seems to fall on the head of the usually impressive Eastwood (Mystic River, Million Dollar Baby, Changeling).
Eastwood seems to have underestimated his audience’s abilities, both in basic understanding of South Africa’s recent history and also reading films. We know when we are being bludgeoned with a message, but Eastwood seems unable to stop himself ramping up the sentimentality. Also problematic is the filming of the rugby scenes. The action which is central to the plot lacks tension and excitement.
In what could have been a fascinating film about sport and politics the main terms that come to mind are preachy and soppy. Overloaded with meaningful speeches it would have been more rewarding to have seen more of South Africa and the completely marginalised Winnie Mandela element. Invictus is a disappointing film from a great director. While it is definitely not without its good points, it fails to reach anything above middle of the road melodrama and it would be fair to say the story behind the film deserved much more.
Invictus is released nationally in Australia 21st January
Director: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Patrick Mofokeng, Adjoa Andoh, Tony Kgoroge, Leleti Khumalo
i love it!! i cried in spots that didn’t even require crying!! but Matt Damon = F A I L
:p
[...] Invictus, on the other hand, is one that takes South Africa back in time to when the struggle was won, but not yet over. It’s about Nelson Mandela’s hand in South Africa winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup and the way in which he and Springbok captain, Francois Pienaar, faced the struggle of symbolically uniting a divided country. This film milks one of the most emotional and volatile parts of our history for all its worth. Nelson Mandela, played by the great Morgan Freeman, was the selling point. One great man being played by another. This was the strongest part of the film, though I find myself a bit disappointed. [...]
“Invictus is a film about South Africa but made with very American sensibilities, a combination which lacks subtlety.”
A generous understatement, B!
Nice review. Agree entirely.