DVD Review: Invictus

Invictus

(Warner Home Video, 133 minutes)

http://invictusmovie.warnerbros.com/dvd/index.html

A number of sports films have suggested that a sport can unite various people from differing backgrounds through their common appreciation of the game. While that may be the basic selling point to Invictus, there’s so much more to this movie detailing the 1995 Rugby Cup match between New Zealand and South Africa. In fact, Invictus takes place at a crossroads between sports and politics with the unity of a nation at stake.

Chronicling the rise of Nelson Mandela as he takes his place as the leader of South Africa, Clint Eastwood’s latest venture takes us back to the turbulent years of the nation’s struggle for racial harmony among the people. After serving 27 years in prison, Mandela is prepared to bridge the racial divide in his country, using the unconventional means of doing so through sports. To do this he sets his sights on the less than spectacular rugby team captained by Francois Pienaar.

Due to the team’s ethnicity being mostly white, many of Mandela’s own supporters despised them, proposing that the team be dismantled under the pretense that they were a symbol black oppression. Rather than doing so, Mandela instead decides to challenge them to turn their losses around in order to inspire hope for their country.

From there, it’s pretty easy to guess where the film is headed, with all the dissenters coming together and joining as one to celebrate the triumph of their team and Mandela as a true champion for peace. Of course therein lies the flaw of Invictus. Taking the naïve belief that a sport can heal a fractured nation may sound good on paper but when applying it to real life, especially in the case of Africa, where Rugby is still considered a “white man’s” game, has to be considered a misstep for Eastwood.

Fortunately, the cast makes up for this with Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon turning in their usual superb performances. Freeman is the obvious choice to play Mandela, from his noticeable similarity in appearance to his reserved charm. Damon’s accent is also convincing though a bit distracting for those who have heard his actual voice.

While Invictus isn’t likely to win Eastwood any awards, it still thrives as a portrait of Mandela and his struggle for peace. The story is questionable, even if there is some truth to it, the film still manages to come off as very natural and realistic, attributed to the fact that it was shot on location in South Africa.

As things are, it would be best to leave the cheers to the onscreen fans.

Invictus - B