Starring: Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon
Directed by: Clint Eastwood
Studio: Warner Brothers
Rated: PG-13
Running Time: 2 hours 14 mins
Film: 5 out of 5 stars.
DVD Special Features: 5 out of 5 stars
“In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.”
The above passages are from the poem “Invictus” by William Ernest Henley. They sum up, in only a few lines, the strength of Nelson Mandela, even though they were written almost five decades before Mandela was born.
On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela (Freeman) was freed after serving 27 years in prison. In 1994 he was elected president of South Africa. His goal to unite his country began immediately when he invited the white members of the previous administration to work for him. “The past is the past,” he informs them. Like America with its Super Bowl, the people of South Africa live for the game of rugby. Having just recently been readmitted to the International Rugby Football Board (the country had been banned because of its stand on apartheid), South Africa was also the host for the World Cup in 1995. Seeing this event as a way to unite his countrymen even more, Mandela contacts Francois Pienaar (Damon), who is captain of the country’s rugby team. The two decide on one goal: win it all.
Directed flawlessly by Clint Eastwood, “Invictus” is an uplifting story that will have you cheering in your seat. Nelson Mandela once remarked that he felt that only Morgan Freeman could portray him on screen and Freeman doesn’t disappoint. When I think it’s been almost forty years since Freeman played Ready Reader on “The Electric Company” on PBS, I realize I’ve spent almost my entire life enjoying the highlights of this talented actors’ incredible career. He portrays Mandela with the respect due the great man and has added another indelible character to his acting resume’. Damon, about 30 pounds of solid muscle heavier then he was in this years earlier film, “The Informant!,” is also at the top of his game as Pienaar.
While Mandela’s political trail is followed in the film, it is the action on the pitch that is the films’ highlight. Eastwood gets his camera so far into the action you feel like you’re part of each scrum and taking each hit. As he approaches his 80th birthday Eastwood has emerged as one of the great story tellers of our time who shows no sign of slowing down or losing his touch. In fact, he’s currently reunited with Damon in England filming his 31st film, “Hereafter.” As in previous films, Eastwood makes “Invictus” a family affair, with son’s Kyle and Scott contributing their talents as well. Kyle, who once starred opposite his dad in the underrated “Honky Tonk Man” has grown into a fine musician and contributes here to the score while Scott appears on screen as a member of the South African team.
I must first give a big THANK YOU to my fellow Mike, Mike Gencarelli, whose constant praise of the process convinced me to upgrade to a Blu-Ray DVD system. It’s amazing the difference in color and clarity. When I look at some of the old Beta tapes I have in my collection I can’t help but marvel how far technology has come in less than 35 years!
That being said, the Special Features on “Invictus” are as great as the movie they showcase. Chief among them is a unique picture in picture feature that allows for interaction with the people who inspired the film while the film is running. Think of it as a cooler version of the old pop up videos on VH-1. Now instead of a thought bubble you may get a real rugby player or a member of Nelson Mandela’s cabinet to comment on a specific scene. There is also a great feature that features Morgan Freeman meeting with, and studying, Nelson Mandela. As mentioned in my review, Mandela always felt that Freeman was the only actor that could portray him properly and on this subject the president was right. Finally there is a short feature entitled “The Eastwood Factor,” which takes a brief look at the career of director Eastwood. For major Eastwood fans check out the incredible 35 film boxed set that includes an all new documentary about Mr. Eastwood entitled “CLINT.”
