'Invictus' Film Review

There are sports movies and there's 'Invictus,' the latest film from Clint Eastwood starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, who, shortly after his presidential win in South Africa, tried to unite the country through the game of rugby. While the sport itself isn't as popular or familiar as football, basketball or baseball, the Oscar-worthy performances given by Freeman and Matt Damon are reasons enough to plan a trip to the theater. Mandela is disheartened to see that the country he loves is divided by race and class. As he looks for ways to bring South Africa back to prominence in all facets, he becomes intrigued by the game of rugby and uses it as a bridge where blacks and white can come together as one. When he decides to support the Springboks rugby team and its star player Francois Pienaar (Damon) during its quest for the World Cup, he faces resistance not only from members of his cabinet but from his countrymen as well. Black South Africans had always seen the team, filled with many Afrikaners, as the symbol of apartheid. But by forming a relationship with Pienaar, Mandela hopes to end the hate and establish some peace with his patriots. 'Invictus' marks the third time that Freeman and Eastwood have collaborated. The two worked together in 'Unforgiven' and 'Million Dollar Baby.' With this film, Morgan's portrayal of Mandela is nearly flawless, as if playing the role was his calling. He has Mandela's mannerisms and voice down pat. Damon, who always holds his own on screen, does more with his stares and actions than his dialogue. There's hardly any mention of Madela's ex-wife, Winnie, or any members of family. As we get further along in the film, the clichéd end sequence in which "the game" is played takes out the emotional aspect of the film, especially one based on true events in which the audience already knows the outcome. Overall, the film is a vibrant, colorful and universally appealing.

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