Concussion's not that bad.

Rating: 8/10 (29 February 2016)

'Concussion' has not received the best write up. Not here or abroad but I would have to disagree with most and have to say that this film is very compelling even for those in the audience that don't fully understand the impact that contact sport has on the athlete. The amount of punishment that the average American NFL player has to contend with is astounding but not surprising with the ferocity of the collisions that are demonstrated out on the field, made even greater by the competitive glory that each athlete strives for. It's the same for the fighters inside the ring who put their bodies through so much all for the dream of seeing themselves crowned the 'greatest' ever. Unlike boxing which has had to contend with the controversy for years, light has only been shined on the affects of head injuries in American football and Rugby codes in the last decade. Men are men and they know what they are getting themselves into right? Maybe but what 'Concussion' has done is not destroy the image of these great sports but make aware to us all that these favoured past times do have their dangers and some of the greatest competitors to play the game have suffered because of them.
'Parkland' Director, Peter Landesman gets the job of telling this delicate story, more so for those that hold the NFL in high standing but becomes relevant for all those that participate in such full contact sports like Rugby Union and League where head injuries are just as serious. Landesman can also be credited for writing the provocative narrative. His story requires a fair bit of diplomacy and Landesman can be accused of playing it safe but there is no doubt he has successfully navigated through a sensitive issue, pointing the finger not at the game itself, rather the complacency and arrogance of the organisation that runs it. Putting it simply this story needed to be told and Landesman has created a cinematic environment that is both informative and emotional.
Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) is the hero of this story but it becomes apparent that he doesn't want to be. "I am the wrong person to of discovered this", but he provides the fighting voice that these supreme athletes needed to bring them the dignity they deserved in their final horrific years. Omalu's discovery comes in the saddest of circumstances when he performs the autopsy on Pittsburgh football great, Mike Webster, portrayed by an unrecognisable David Morse. Webster eventually died of a heart attack but not before experiencing some disturbing behaviour up until his death. After this shocking discovery, evidence points to more cases of severe brain damage in top line footballers that had made their name in the NFL. 'Concussion' becomes a David and Goliath battle as Bennet Omalu tries to expose the damage that repeated head trauma does to the average footballer. With the support of his superior, Dr. Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks) and a former NFL team doctor, Dr. Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin), the against the odds confrontation to force the powerful football league to be proactive about the dangers that lurk in their sport.
'Concussion' has the right balance of quality that helps make the film provocative watching. Will Smith provides a reliable and solid base for Landesman to build his production on. Smith's bona fide portrayal sets the tone for an intriguing film and with another strong performance by Alec Baldwin in a meaty supporting role, 'Concussion' has more going for it than just another sporting drama. It does inform and it does make aware what we have all known for so long. Repetitive head trauma can destroy an athletes health. 'Concussion' does come with an emotional presence that will leave the audience satisfied.