Synopsis:
A drama based on the true story of
Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College Texas. In 1935, he inspired
students to form the school's first debate team, which went on to challenge
Harvard in the national championship.
The Freak's Rating: C :
Denzel is a captivating actor. He can
pretty much spew out gibberish and I'll listen
intently. One of the nation's top African
American actors, Washington is responsible for
some truly wonderful movies including Training
Day, American Gangster and Glory.
As a
man, whenever I see Oprah Winfrey's name
attached to a film I am a little frightened.
Will the movie be overflowing with estrogen?
In the middle of the film will Tom Cruise jump
on a couch and Oprah give away her "favorite
things"? I forget, however, that Oprah was
a part of one of the best stories ever told
about African Americans in the United States,
The Color Purple. Winfrey has a
general feeling for what makes us enjoy what we
see on screen.
The
Great Debaters is precisely what you'd expect
out of a film. I wouldn't say it was bad,
just completely middle of the road.
Denzel continues to grow as a director and will
someday get it right. A feel good movie
this is, just not in the way it should be.
Actors should have been better cast (with the
exception of Whitaker and Washington of course),
and writing should have been tied up nicely.
So again, good fare for those seeking it out on
their own (for they will know what they are
getting). Everyone else should stick to
Dead Poet's Society (the film's obvious source
of material for most of its writing).
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