“BRINGING ORDER TO CHAOS “
Starring: Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language.
Genre: Historical Drama
Release date: December 2009
By John Delia
There are many true stores portrayed each year by filmmakers, but no one does it quite as good as Clint Eastwood. His ability to visualize the emotion, excitement, challenges, apprehension and anxieties in his characters has always amazed me and with Invictus he outdoes himself. Touching and exhilarating Invictus is a must see.
This inspiring true story follows Nelson Mandela (Freeman) being released
from prison and elected to office as President of South Africa. Not bitter for his long interment for sedition against the white government, he sets out to make his country one that can obtain peace with all races.
Learning that their all white rugby team has not performed well in the past and with the World Cup to be played in his country, Mandela sets out to unite his people though the exciting sport. After the team manager gets fired, Francois Pienaar (Damon) is urged by Mandela to take over the team and make them a champion. Fueled with the desire to end apartheid once and for all, Mandela and Pienaar join forces with a try at making it happen.
I can’t say enough about Eastwood’s ability to bring stories like Invictus to the screen. Setting up the drama of the historical fight to bring order out of chaos in South Africa, Eastwood takes the simple news item and turns it into an important colossal event on the big screen.
But it’s the consummate actor Morgan Freeman who delivers the masterful peacemaker Mandela with heart and strong hand easily handling the task. He even looks like the former President. In support, Damon marvelously provides the
catalyst that Mandela uses to turn the country around. Both do such a great job that it’s hard to single out which performance is best.
The film is rated PG-13 for brief strong language necessary to the plot, so just make sure you cup your hands over the ears of immature children when you see it coming.
FINAL ANALYSIS: Invictus is another Oscar contender for Eastwood. (5 of 5 Palm Trees)