Invictus: or How Nelson Mandela and Rugby Saved South Africa

I guess rugby can solve an entire nation’s problems.

This film is not a hard-hitting look at the issues facing South Africa after the election of the country’s first black President, Nelson Mandela. On some level I thought the film kind of trivialized the real social and economic problems facing the country. But in defense of Clint Eastwood’s film, I don’t think he trivialized these issues because his film isn’t trying to tell the entire history of problems facing South Africa. The film is simply telling one important event in the country’s history.

Set in 1995, Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, is South Africa’s first black elected president. The country is divided among black and whites after the end of apartheid and his election as president. Realizing that he has to unite the country, Mandela realizes the importance of symbolism to help his country heal. The symbolic measure that will help bring his country together is if the South African rugby team is able to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Mandela enlists the help of the captain of the rugby team, played by Matt Damon, to help make this happen.

Morgan Freeman is the logical choice to play Mandela, who comes across as more saint than man. He is sure to get an Oscar nomination for his performance. At times Freeman does slip in and out of his accent. Matt Damon is also very good as the rugby team captain, Francois Pienaar. Damon is able to disappear into his role. I do wish his character could have gotten fleshed out more.

I do admire that Eastwood didn’t decide to direct a straight biopic about the life of Mandela. That would be boring. The film does have a couple of cheap scare moments involving Mandela’s safety. I felt these scenes were handled very poorly. We already get a believable sense of the threats facing Mandela through the sub plot involving his security personal. It seems like Mandela only has 8 security officers, half white and half black. Of course during the course of the film the two sides, like the country, eventually come together.

The Rugby World Cup game at the end does rile you up with excitement. The game does go on a bit long, but you do get a real important sense of the game’s meaning. There is a nice visual moment that is intercut with the game involving a small black boy and two white cops who grow closer as the game reaches its climax.

The film is one of Eastwood’s good pictures that somewhat succeeds on the level of being an inspirational sports picture. Invictus does gets my vote for best film title of the year. I love saying Invictus, which is latin for unconquered.

3 Stars