Nothing Changes. ♦ Grade C+

Rating: 6/10 (1 January 2016)

All films which are 'based on a true story' have little effect quotient in them, not because of how they are made, but because of how they are made to look. Concussion is one such medical drama that starts off well but ends up injuring itself.
Bennet (Smith) is a Nigerian pathologist who stumbles upon a dangerous and yet undiscovered disease while performing autopsy on a football player and goes on to write a paper about it, pitting himself up against the football fraternity. The story is about his personal and professional struggle regarding this new discovery and how he is oppressed by NFL and lovers of the game collectively. While this is enough material to make biographical content look like propaganda, there isn't much embrace to realism happening in the narration. The film says that 'he will stop at nothing to expose the truth,' which is true. But what next? Nothing.
People are still playing and watching and going mad about the game and that is the greatest evidence why the film's theme and story is a cold turkey. Oh yes, there is entertainment in the first act, but all goes haywire in the third act as FBI and the US administration barge in (like they always do).
The screenplay is fine, not great, and manages to tell a story. Smith's accent may be a problem for some, but I think it was a necessity; his air is good. Baldwin also does a fine job as Bennet's helping hand. Overall, the way the ending comes out is what plays with the believability and effectiveness of the film. Nevertheless, it deserves a watch.
BOTTOM LINE: Concussion may look like propaganda, but it is not, and the biggest problem with the film is that it falters at the end, making itself look unrealistic.
GRADE: C+
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES