I started my New Year with tears. I watched the DVD Invictus (with Academy Award nominated actors Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon) and while a friend warned me that I would cry; I didn't believe him. He was so right.
The film is based on the true story of the South African rugby team participating in the World Cup championships shortly after the election of Nelson Mandela (Freeman). Black South Africans want the team dismantled because the team still represents apartheid to them. Blacks always cheer for any team that plays against them. Mandela seeks the rugby team captain's help (Damon) into turning the team to become the pride of South Africa and a true contender in the World Cup tourney.
The two men don't know much about let alone trust each other. But they begin a journey of discovery, transformation, and fact-finding. Turns out they want nearly the same thing and have to put personal history, ghosts, and biases aside. They literally begin to walk in each other's shoes.
Without giving too much away, I cried. They don't cave to societal pressure and their actions influence others. They learn to make sacrifices and grow to mutual understand themselves and others. The sports-action scenes are wonderful. Dialect coaches did well with Freeman and Damon.
I'm glad I saw this to kick off 2011: It gave me a lot of hope for the New Year. As Mandela reminded viewers: "I'm the director of my own destiny." That's a reminder, we need from time to time. See this movie; if you haven't.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Tuesday, January 4th 2011 at 3:13AM
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