Film is Pwn

Starring: Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon, Tony Kgoroge, Patrick Mofokeng
Directed By: Clint Eastwood

I can unequivocally say that Invictus is now officially my all-time favorite Rugby movie ever.

Invictus is the story of South Africa’s anti-apartheid activist turned prisoner for 27 years turned first black President, and Nelson Mandella (played by Morgan Freeman – who better?).  Rather than a sweeping epic attempting to encompass the enormous life-story of Mandella, director Clint Eastwood chooses to focus on the early days of Mandella’s Presidency from 1994-1995.  Specifically, the subject is Mandella’s efforts to create a sense of national unity with the unlikely tool of The Springboks, the nation’s Rugby team.

In the beginning the Springboks are seen as a symbol of the old regime of apartheid and black South Africans cheer for whomever is playing the Springboks.  We see a young, impoverished black child refusing the gift of a Springboks jersey that will keep him warm at night for fear it will get him beat up by friends.  Mandella reaches out to Springboks captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon, among the finest A-list actors working in a great performance).  Mandella’s simple request to Francois and team: Win the 1995 Rugby World Cup being hosted in South Africa.

Invictus is one of my two favorite sports movies of the decade, and it’s about a sport I neither understand nor care about it.  The other sports movie is David Mamet’s Redbelt, which is about MMA (mixed martial arts), which I do understand and don’t care for but nevertheless heartily endorse that film.

There is a lot of great characters and great story in Invictus outside the two leads, Freeman and Damon.  There are fascinating little stories told by unfamiliar actors, whose characters often go unnamed, on the periphery.  Perhaps most memorable is the progression of Mandella’s security team, an mixture black and white men who do not like each other but learn to work together and gain trust over time.

For those wondering, the title “invictus” is Latin for “victory,” and is the title of a 19th century British poem that inspired Mandella while in prison.

I don’t think Invictus is a film you need to see on the big-screen.  I’d call it a definite “renter,” well worth seeing when it’s out on DVD.  Of course, considering how unimpressive the holiday movie calendar is this year, you might want to do what Clan Roos did for their Annual Christmas Movie Excursion and check out Invictus, which was enjoyed by all.