Review of Concussion (2015) by Ethan B — 13 Jan 2016

What could have been a great movie about the fight of the NFL to subdue the reality of concussions and their inherent dangers, became part love story, part hero flick, and part bore fest. The first thirty minutes of this movie are captivating and the final hour or so was uneven and misleading with the facts.

There could have been a great movie about Mike Webster or any of the high profile players who suffered from CTE or any combination therein. This movie would have been like doing the American Civil War about four months in.

The story of concussions and CTE could continue for decades, so a biopic of an apparently egotistical doctor which turns into a love story doesn't make for a satisfying movie. The really good, albeit limited performances of Morse and Brooks are the best things about the two hour and three minute picture.

Baldwin and Smith are fine, but this movie could have gone in so many directions and unfortunately they choose a very poor one.