photo courtesy of msnbc.comResolved: The Great Debaters is a cerebral tongue-twisting treat!
Denzel does it again, this time in front of and behind the camera. "The Great Debaters" is an excellent film about the Wiley College debate team who went on to beat Ha-vawd (that's Harvard to those with their noses out of the air) but in real life USC. What makes that so special and important is the fact that Wiley (in Marshall, Texas) was an all black college and the team did this in the 1930's against predominantly white colleges when it was unfortunately "cool" to segregate. The film pulls no punches on the message it tries to convey. It's pretty standard underdog- champions- at- the -end but what makes it memorable are the performances by all the actors and actresses. Denzel of course is excellent. He commands the scene when he is in it but newcomer Nate Parker ably stands up to him with promising chops and poise. Jurnee Smollett of Eve's Bayou fame does a wonderful job as the cute "Samantha Booke" but delivers with the moxy of an actress twice her age. Young up and comer Denzel Whitaker (no relation to Forest) offers a likeable earnest performance.
The film also stars Forest Whitaker who gives a depth to the role of James Farmer, Sr. a Theology professor who is also the father of Jr. as played by Denzel Whitaker. Even the supporting cast is great. Kimberly Elise offers a substantial performance as the wife of Farmer, Sr. John Heard seems like he was made for the role of the racist sheriff (hey, he's a good actor that's all i'm saying). All in all, the acting is superb on the film. When you have talent like Washington and Whitaker, you can only expect that those around them will soak up their energy.
The dialogue is written for those who can deliver. Robert Eisele and Jeff Porro do an excellent job with the screenwriting. The debate scenes are like foreplay for those who enjoy the power of the English language. The story does a good job of placing you in the scene, way back when. Kudos to Washington who does a bang-up job directing the film. If you like come from behind, underdog takes the victory type of movies, you'll love this film. If you like great acting, you'll go see this film immediately.
2 comments:
This was by far the best movie I saw last year!!! Recommended viewing!
Denzel get ready to accept your Oscar, because one already has your name on it.
Go see it..take your children. My son enjoyed it just as much as my husband & me.
It is a testiment that with knowledge & being capable of articulating that knowledge - anything is possible.
The movie was great. Nate Parker (who played Henry) showed a lot of promise to do big things in film.
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