Director Clint Eastwood, reunites with star Morgan Freeman for Invictus, an Oscar baiting account of Nelson Mandela's influence on South Africa's Rugby team winning the 1995 Rugby World Cup.
However, nobody has worked hard enough to deserve Oscar's attention. The story is rather flat and rarely presents events that are unexpected. Worst though is how it ignores character at the expense of recreating historical events. Freeman is fine (but not outstanding) as Mandela but you never get sucked into any kind of journey the man undertakes as he rebuilds his fractured country. One feels sorry for poor Matt Damon though, as the Rugby captain charged with winning the world cup. He only has a few scenes in the movies...and even then is given nothing substantial to work with.
At over two hours this is an overlong affair that can't justify it's run time considering it's weak content. It being an Eastwood movie, it's watchable and well made (the recreation of 90's South Africa is impressive)...but is a dry, passionless affair that doesn't even come alive in the climatic sports sequences.
Given the potential this story presented (merging politics with the little seen Rugby, in movies), Clint dropped the ball big time. Pun intended.
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