Go ahead Mandela, make my day
Both Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon were nominated for an Oscar for their performances
Photo:invictusmovie.warnerbros.com
Morgan Freeman playing Nelson Mandela with Matt Damon as support and Clint Eastwood in the director’s chair – it doesn’t sound like Invictus, the movie based on Mandela’s efforts to unite a divided country behind a rugby team, could go wrong. But then again, nothing is for sure in Hollywood.
The movie centres on Mandela’s attempts to bring blacks and whites together after being elected as president in post-apartheid South Africa. He does so through the unlikely vessel of the South African Springbok rugby team – a team with only one black player and traditionally associated with white domination and brute Boer strength.
South Africa hosted the 1995 rugby world cup and stunned the world by not only winning the tournament, beating favourites New Zealand in the final, but by doing it with the support of the whole rainbow nation.
Oscar-worthy performances
The film is uplifting, pulls on the heartstrings and can be commended for one of the best performances of the year. Although Freeman didn’t scoop the Oscar for best actor - Jeff Bridges walked away with the coveted gong for his performance in Crazy Heart - he certainly deserved the nomination.
It’s almost impossible to imagine anyone else playing Mandela. Freeman has the look, the charisma and the screen presence. And Matt Damon, who is slowly becoming the most dependable name in the business, doesn’t disappoint as the Springbok rugby captain Francois Pienaar who has to inspire his team to greatness.
But unlike the performances, the film is far from flawless. The rugby scenes last too long, especially the final, which feels like it showcases every kick, scrum and tackle of the 100-minute match; subplots such as Mandela’s unhappy family life and an attempt on his life are introduced and never fully explored; and most importantly of all, the film lacks any real tension – you are never under any illusion that you won’t be walking out of the cinema with a smile on your face.
Nonetheless, the movie is still worth seeing. Freeman and Damon both deserved their Oscar nominations but the film and direction ultimately let them down. For once, it looks like Dirty Harry was shooting blanks.
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