In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the
truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated
concussions in the course of normal play.
Director: Peter Landesman
Writers: Peter Landesman, Jeanne Marie Laskas (GQ article "Game Brain")
Stars:
Will Smith,
Gugu Mbatha-Raw,
Alec Baldwin |
Storyline
Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the
incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet
Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first
discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and
fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at
dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
Written by
Sony Pictures Entertainment
User Reviews:
An
inspiring, academic by the name of Dr. Bennet Omalu takes on the titan
of Sundays, the NFL, in order to prove a direct link from head trauma
during football games to CTE, a football related injury that occurs.
Writer/director Peter Landesman takes on the very detailed, and dramatic
thriller "Concussion," with an insightful amount of control in
direction, mostly thanks to Academy Award winning editor William
Goldenberg, who keeps most of the film at a decent pace. However, with a
clichéd script that brings the eye-rolling effect to a fever pitch, you
can't help but wish that the material was more rendered and secure in
its delivery. Surely to bring on an inner rage as we watch these men, so
revered by Americans on a weekly basis, beg for absolution as they lose
sight of themselves as time progresses. What doesn't work in
"Concussion's" favor is the glossing over the real human condition that
is so desperately apparent in each frame the film attempts to show.
Starring
two-time Academy Award nominee Will Smith as Omalu, he delivers one of
his strongest performances ever. An impeccable capture of a man from
Africa, soulfully searching for acceptance in America, Smith brings a
visible intensity in each line spoken. Settling into a role that calls
for the best parts of Smith's charisma, which he has demonstrated
effortlessly throughout his career, he handles it with an equally
emotional heft that garners most of the film's best moments. This is a
performance that deserves to be considered for the Academy Award for
Best Actor.
Landesman also constructs a decent cast with Alec
Baldwin (not totally owning his own southern-ish accent in his
exchanges), Gugu Mbatha- Raw (beautiful but utterly wasted in under
developed scenes), and David Morse (who deserves much more roles and is
quite effective in his limited screen time). Of all the supporting
players, Albert Brooks delivers as the vulgar Dr. Cyril Wecht. It'll
call back to his beloved turn in "Drive" just a few years back (minus
villainous murders). As a distracting entity, Luke Wilson cast as Roger
Goodell is a poor choice by the filmmakers, serving nothing more as
celebrity wallpaper.
Composer James Newton Howard puts his horns
on overload, sweeping into scenes that work well in films like "The
Village" but with a film such as "Concussion," it begins to grate on the
ears at times.
At 123 minutes, the film bloats like you over
indulged at dinner time. In some bizarre, and almost "too try hard"
choices, Landesman attempts to focus on some of the more "human" and
"natural" elements of Dr. Omalu's life. As we find ourselves more
interested in the case at hand, the writer/director almost sets out to
make his version of "The Insider," which would be fine if he got a
better grasp on which elements he should focus on.
"Concussion"
isn't a complete failure, delivering at times with a grandiose turn from
Will Smith. If anything, he's more than worth the admission ticket but I
believe most of all, the film does successfully place a spotlight on an
issue that is in desperate need of change. The final title cards will
prove the NFL's power, and even deepen your frustration and anger. I
think that it'll at least offer up a discussion point. That's success on
its own.
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