Review of Invictus (2009) by Asif K — 13 Sep 2011

Actor Morgan Freeman portrays anti-apartheid activist and former South African president Nelson Mandela in this Clint Eastwood-helmed political drama adapted from author John Carlin's book The Human Factor: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed the World. Set just after the fall of apartheid and during Mandela's first term in office, The Human Factor explores how the political prisoner-turned-president used the 1995 Rugby World Cup -- which was hosted by South Africa -- as a means of bringing blacks and whites together after decades of violence and mistrust. Matt Damon co-stars in the Warner Bros. production as rugby player Francois Pienaar.

Starring. Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng, Matt Stern , Julian Lewis Jones , Adjoa Andoh , Marguerite Wheatley , Leleti Khumalo.

Directed by Clint Eastwood, one of the best directors ever.

Nominated for 2 Oscars while not winning any, Best Actor in a Lead role Morgan Freeman and Actor in a Supporting role Matt Damon.

Now who else think this movie deserved Best picture nomination rather than the excessively overrated movie ever in this world, THE BLINDSIDE. I have no idea why but Academy is snubbing Clint Eastwood alot these years, his movie Hereafter was an average attempt so I understand it. Gran Torino was just pure brilliant, atleast he deserved a best Director nod for it. and the same goes for Changeling. also he is a good actor. but lets forget that and talk about this movie.

So these both sports movies The Blindside and Invictus were released in 2009 both competing for Oscars and The Blindside took the lead which was awful. this movie may m=not be a very memorable attempt but trust me, the effect I had the first time I saw this movie was out of this world, I was so emotionally drawn into this movie that I was crying all the way in the end, I was jumping and screaming and shouting like I was there in the ground. this movie was very inspiring, uplifting and might be the only Feel Good movie from Clint Eastwood that I have seen. the mix of Sports and Politics in such way was a sheer pleasure to watch. it has positive energy all around. and above all, the character of Mr. Nelson Mandela.

Brilliant performances by both the actors. they brought these real life characters with so much conviction on the screen that its hard some time to call them Matt or Morgan but there character names. Morgan Freeman took the lead here, he not only physically is a look alike but the whole performance was such outstanding. great performances by them.

Screenplay was good, however not great. there were some minute problems with it. movie is predictable but it is how it was suppose to be ain't it? plot may stumble a bit in places. it feels like a Documentary at alot of times. screenplay may feel dragged but it is a good crowd pleasing movie. good art direction and cinematography.

It was a really simple movie with a really simple message that Sports can unify people, it is so true and people love it when they see this movie and comes out with an entire different feel. The story is based on the John Carlin book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Changed a Nation about the events in South Africa before and during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, hosted in that country following the dismantling of apartheid. really liked the way on field game have been shown. those moments are thrilling.

A really good movie by a great director.