A chapter from Nelson Mandela's life, Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon and Clint Eastwood. Put all of these together, and I'm sure that one can visualize cinematic bliss. And let me break the suspense, the movie does not disappoint.
Morgan Freeman has been friends with Nelson Mandela, aka Madiba, for the past two decades. He initially wanted to make a movie based on Mandela's autobiography, "Long Walk to Freedom". However, since the biopic would have to span decades, they chose this story, which they believed would convey the core of Madiba.
The movie starts just after the end of Apartheid in South Africa. Mandela has just been elected President and is posed with the challenge of running a country falling apart. The biggest hurdle ahead is the unity of the citizens, goaded by the vengeance of the blacks and the mistrust of the whites. Madiba realises that the only way forward is to truly emerge as the Rainbow nation, all of its people as one. He convinces the blacks to give up on violence against the whites to forgive as an act of service to their great nation.
Sport in South Africa has been and continues to be a domain of the whites. So much so that the blacks cheer the visiting team in a match against the Springboks. After repeated defeats, the Springboks are in the danger of losing their emblem and the nickname. Mandela advises tolerance and foresight to the blacks and assumes the responsibility of showing them, his children, the right way. He gains the confidence of the captain of the Rugby team and encourages him and his team to hold camps for the black kids. The seeds of unity are sown. As a viewer, u can feel the momentum rising. A trickle turns into a stream.
The movie also narrates SA's rugby captain, Francois' story. His meeting with Mandela leaves his impressionable mind completely in awe. He deals with a team resistant to change, not ready to embrace a changing nation. He inspires his team both on and off the field. And a stream spurts into a gush.
One of the most powerful scenes of the movie takes place on Robben Island, the place were blacks were banished and imprisoned. Madiba, himself, spent 27 years on that island, in a room which is only as wide a man's arm span and long as his length. In this scene, the lines of the poem Invictus are voiced over by Morgan Freeman and they have a lasting impact.
By the end of the world cup, they are a nation, not completely united, certainly not at the other race's throat and cheering the Springboks as one.
The narrative is simple and deservedly so, because its beauty lies therein. Eastwood relies on the strength of his plot and his characters to make an impact.
Truly Mandela, is a source of tolerance, forgiveness, foresight, inspiration and leadership. This story brings these qualities to the fore. And he manages to do all of this in the most unassuming manner, which truly makes him a great human being.
Once again, this movie is made by brilliant men about a remarkable man. Unconquered, which is what Invictus, means.
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/invictus/
