As my push continues to see all nominated movies before the Golden Globes on Sunday January 17th, today I saw "Invictus." The film is directed by Clint Eastwood and stars Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon. Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in his first five years in office as the president of South Africa and Damon plays the captain of the South African National rugby team, the Springboks.
Mandela decides to use the success of the Springboks as a way to rally together a divided nation. The story focuses on his desire to use the Springboks as an agent of change, and the effect that has on their team captain, Francois.
Freeman gives a solid performance, as always. His relationship with his chief of staff, secretary, maid and security guards lead to many warm, touching and funny scenes. Scenes highlighting the relationships between his security guards are some of the best parts of the movie.
Damon gave a strong showing as well, dying his hair blond and bulking up considerably to play the rugby captain. His best moments were when he visibly showed the effect Mandela was having on his character and the way his personal viewpoints were evolving.
Unfortunately, I felt the film was about 30 - 40 minutes too long. There were incessant shots of the final rugby match and equally repetitive shots of the people of South Africa tuning into the final match. The movie would have been just as powerful without all that extra footage.
"Invictus" is not a movie you must see in the theater, it could definitely wait to arrive via Netflix. The acting is respectable, the message is powerful, and there are a few unexpected twists, but the failure to edit has you checking your watch.
For the best of Morgan Freeman rent "Shawshank Redemption" and pick up "Good Will Hunting" to see Matt Damon in the role that catapulted him to super stardom.
