Review of Concussion (2015) by Sean I — 29 Mar 2016

Concussion explores the desires and peoples entertainment that they enjoy instead of facing the disturbing truth about football players coming across brain injuries that would affect them over time. Even no matter how many facts is given, peoples obsession over the sport always blinds the truth about players bashing there heads against others. As time progress, the injury soon worsens within the players brain as they become depressed and suicidal. The film begins with Mike Webster (David Morse) an ex football player, who becomes distant, depressed, and mutilating himself until he finally dies. Dr. Bennett (Will Smith) is a pathologist, and begins studying over the corpse, only to discover results that football players over time after hitting there heads would soon come to this injury. His research, soon gets backlashed by the National football committee that try to end his career and manipulating him to let it go.

Dr. Bennett is a person that is focused on the truth and hoping he can make a change that can save football players from overcoming this injury. He has his way of studying corpses and talking to the bodies, as his way of investigating the origins and causes of death. He is trying to live the American dream, after coming from Nigeria and wants to be part of the country. He does not have the desires to enjoy media or football. Like his roommate Prema (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) asks him, âWhy do you have a tv?â? after noticing he always keeps the tv off in his living room. His response, âeveryone in America has one.â? Bennett is the guy that will not be shamed of trying to get his truth out about the research he has discovered. Even after the several threatening calls he receives, from the football committee.

It is a sports drama film, that focuses how much media and corporations are willing to do what it ever takes to keep the truth hidden, even if it requires putting the players lives at risk. Will Smith does give an outstanding performance, with the African accent and played the character well.