In recent years, Clint Eastwood has blended masculine sentimentality with foreboding themes in a string of morose dramas (Mystic River
, Million Dollar Baby
, Letters from Iwo Jima
, and Changeling
). His latest is of a different tone. Invictus
is crowd-cheering, inspirational sports drama uplift to the hilt and yet also grounded by its complicated subject matter and an affecting portrayal of Nelson Mandela by Morgan Freeman.Upon his new presidency in divided South Africa, Mandela becomes invested in the nation's rugby team, the Springboks. He immediately observes that the South African blacks are cheering for the other side. Soon Mandela begins his personal quest to inspire team captain Francois Pienaar (an exceptional Matt Damon) to win the World Cup and for a moment, unite the nation. The title refers to the poem that the imprisoned Mandela found comfort in; he passes it on to Pienaar to unlock his potential to be a true team leader ("I am the captain of my soul").
Based on a book by John Carlin
, Anthony Peckham's script is a tightly focused exercise in the classic sports drama but also a subtle reveal of racial tensions in apartheid torn South Africa. Mandela's clashing crew of bodyguards ("the rainbow nation starts here") figure as a sort of microcosm. Instead of emotionally investing with any of the Springboks, the movie centers on Pienaar--a simple, rugged athlete who becomes more passionate about his team and his country as the story progresses. When Pienaar visits Mandela's prison cell, it's an undeniably powerful moment. Invictus is an economical picture: streamlined, stately. I have to admit in the hours after it ended, as in any sports drama that values a good, clean score rather than ambiguity, I felt as if something was missing. And yet the film's shortcomings are somewhat ameliorated by the rigor of Eastwood's direction, especially in the thrilling rugby sequences (the '95 World Cup is practically recreated down to the tiniest detail). ***
I never find Eastwood totally obvious. His style is straightforward and borders on convention, but he is always interested in shades of grey. Even if his films under-achieve, they are always interesting and especially interested in character.
ReplyDeleteI think "White Hunter, Black Heart" is great and unfairly forgotten, and believe "Letters From Iwo Jima" may well be his masterpiece and, when coupled alongside (the admittedly lesser) "Flags of our Fathers", perhaps one of the greatest of humanitarian cinematic statements around.
I'm a big fan of Clint Eastwood, both as an actor and director. I do want to see this film. Even if there are flaws in his films, they still are wonderful pieces of film.
ReplyDeleteInteresting review--I think I'm going to see this one. I have a soft-spot for sports drama, and I really did like Mystic River and Iwo Jima. I thought Iwo Jima was surprisingly even-handed, and hard to watch, at times.
ReplyDeleteThanks!
xx
you got me really really excited to see this film, flaws and all! sounds truly inspiring
ReplyDeletemyglitteringcreation.blogspot.com
I had no idea Clint directed this. Now I'm even more excited to go.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds amazing! I got goosebumps watching the trailer (I'm pretty malleable that way!) so I'm glad to hear it's good!
ReplyDeleteiamemmamusic.blogspot.com