Invictus

[Chris D]

Saw this on a plane ride yesterday. Very good! Not perfect, and not overwhelming, but I was very moved. Nelson Mandela is quite an interesting person, and I wonder how realistic the movie really was, and if he really acts like that. If so, it's very inspiring to see someone who is so very fair, so inclusive of all people. Quite a natural leader.

There's some imperfections. The finality of the sporting match isn't perfectly set in a mood, but it's still very good. And really, the point of the movie isn't the SPORT, it's the unity of South Africa. There's several shots or plot elements that are strangely thrown in and don't seem to fit, but if nothing else, keep you guessing as to what is going to happen, and if someone is going to try to assassinate Mandela. There's also a scene in the middle, where Mandela is dancing at a state function, and sweet-talking a lady. It doesn't seem to have a purpose in the movie, but I'm guessing was thrown in deliberately to show that Mandela is just a man, imperfect, and that the movie wasn't trying to make him into a god.

Very well cast. Morgan Freeman particularly does an AMAZING job playing Mandela, even though he's so much taller than Mandela himself. Freeman is very convincing, looking old, haggard, and tired in the role, as Mandela undoubtedly was, under the stress of the presidency. Matt Damon and the other actors also perform admirably, and who knew that Clint Eastwood would turn out to be such a good director?

Again, not perfect, but very good, and recommended for anyone. :4: out of :5:

[krips]

Freeman and Mandela sat together at a private screening of it. Mandela didn't say anything afterwards, which Freeman said he assumed that it meant he'd done a good job.

[ClosetSciFiGeek]

Watched this last night with my wife and 15 year old daughter. Having been in Capetown last year(I'm in the Navy and travel a lot) it was even more interesting to me. It sparked lots of discussion with my daughter over what apparteid was etc... Also a very enjoyable movie.

[Ovation]

Nelson Mandela is quite an interesting person, and I wonder how realistic the movie really was, and if he really acts like that.

By all accounts I've found so far, the movie is quite realistic. (I have a professional interest in historical feature films, so I investigate the 'reality' of just about every such film I watch.)

And really, the point of the movie isn't the SPORT, it's the unity of South Africa.

Very true. There might be the makings of an academic article on the relationship between sporting events and political movements as portrayed in film (if I can find time to write one--assuming it hasn't already been done).

There's also a scene in the middle, where Mandela is dancing at a state function, and sweet-talking a lady. It doesn't seem to have a purpose in the movie, but I'm guessing was thrown in deliberately to show that Mandela is just a man, imperfect, and that the movie wasn't trying to make him into a god.

That's how I took it.

Very well cast. Morgan Freeman particularly does an AMAZING job playing Mandela, even though he's so much taller than Mandela himself. Freeman is very convincing, looking old, haggard, and tired in the role, as Mandela undoubtedly was, under the stress of the presidency. Matt Damon and the other actors also perform admirably, and who knew that Clint Eastwood would turn out to be such a good director?

I agree--well cast indeed. Who knew about Clint? I've known for over 20 years--where have you been?

Again, not perfect, but very good, and recommended for anyone. :4: out of :5:

I concur.

[George Bellefontaine]

This is one of those films I have to be in the right mood to watch. I'll rent it sometime, but mostly because I am such a huge Eastwood fan.