It is a breath of fresh air when a movie comes along that A) has no blockbuster unrealistic budget, B) hasn’t been so overly-hyped that you are hoping for it to fail and C) actually delivers. The Great Debaters is a movie that inspires, educates, and in the process, entertains, which seems to be what Hollywood is lacking lately.
The story follows a debate team and inspirational teacher in 1930 Texas that went on to debate Harvard, leading to the first Black / White debate ever. You can imagine the emotions that went through these performances, and proved to me once again, as much as I love the music and era of the 1920s-1940s, I am glad that I did not live in an era where Blacks weren’t just a color, and whites were the superior race. I say that I am glad that I dont have to deal with that now, but somehow, I know the injustice is still there. I just choose to ignore it. Call it the Bubble syndrome…I like my non-ethnic bias, and I’m sticking to it.
The performances were outstanding. Little known actors mixed with smart dialogue and of course, Denzel’s directing, and you’re pretty much guaranteed a hit. Backed by the Weinstein and Harpo money, you can’t lose. All in all, a great film that teaches, not preaches, its “inspired by a true story” story. Look for great scenes with Forest Whitaker and Denzel Washington, sprinkle in a mixture of Denzel Whitaker (that name was destined for Hollywood…and hes not related to either) and Nate Parker (who somehow subtly steals the show), and you are bound to have a worthy buzz created around you. I’m just glad to be entertained by something other than overpriced and overrated CGI action. And it also made me realize that there is a reason I am not a lawyer, and some people were just destined for greatness. Mr. Tolson seems to be one of them.
And, although I would recommend this movie, you don’t necessarily need to see it in the theatres…especially if you have to sit through it next to a pregnant woman who not only got up several times to go to the bathroom (might have been the LITER bottle she smuggled in), but during one of the most poignant scenes, when the theatre actually was silent, pulled out a brown paper bag, nosily removed an orange, and began slurping away at it. I get it, lady, you are trying to be healthy for your unborn kid, but come on, I’m trying to watch a movie here….
I think this movie was released just in time. In our era where people are ecstatic about the prospect of having an African American president, I am still in awe that people think like that…I don’t care what ethnic background he comes from or what color his skin is, or whether or not he’s a he or a she…what is his politics and what is he promising, and what can he deliver? It amazes me that people still are biased and racist, but hearing the gasps from the crowd during a rather disturbing lynching scene (which I would say is worse than seeing Michael Moore’s beheading footage), you get the feeling (and hope) that one day, we might be over it. But that’s hoping for a little too much, I know.
Politics and performances aside, this gets a whole-hearted AFFIRMATIVE in my book.
RATING: NETFLIX
