Review of Concussion (2015) by Troy C — 18 Feb 2016

It's unfortunate that this medical drama has been dragged into the Oscar racism / boycott saga; it's a stirring tale that deserves to be approached and appreciated on its filmic merits alone, not with the additional baggage it has been lumped with.

Will Smith gets serious as Nigerian doctor Bennet Omalu, a specialist in why (not how) people die. When an ex-NFL champion lands in his morgue after a rapid mental health decline and subsequent suicide, Omalu investigates a potential link between playing American Football and long-term head trauma.

Not surprisingly, shining a light on this topic does not sit well with the NFL, a multi-billion dollar corporation that will go to extraordinary lengths to protect their brand. And here lies the meat of the movie, explored with intelligence and passion by writer-director Peter Landesman.

With its David vs Goliath foundation it would have been easy to allow this true story to slip into midday melodrama, however Landesman keeps it grounded through smart dialogue, a perfectly paced narrative and well-defined characters who aren't embellished to fit nicely into "good" or "bad" categories.

Smith earns his fair share of praise too, his likable central protagonist is multi-layered and rough around the edges. Initially it appears as if he is a Saint among men, but Smith hints at more egocentric characteristics to make him a more authentic person as presented on screen.

In the pick of the supporting roles, Alec Baldwin brings his A-game as former NFL team doctor Julian Bailes, providing a pragmatic counterpoint to Omalu's idealism whilst providing Smith with a suitably heavyweight sparring partner.

It may not reach the levels of brilliance inherent in the very best dramas thanks to its adherence to traditional tropes, but Concussion is an interesting, persuasive and affecting film that boasts cast and crew in top-notch form.