important but not that dramatic

Rating: 6/10 (31 July 2016)

It's 2002. Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) is the junior forensic pathologist in Pittsburgh. During the weekend, beloved Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster is found dead. Omalu is the low man and on call. Using his own money, he examines Webster's brain and discovers unexpected damage. With his boss Dr. Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks) and others, he publishes a medical paper calling the disease Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE). Webster's former team doctor Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin) also gives his support as the group faces off against the might of the NFL.
It's an important story. It's an interesting story. Will Smith does the job well. It's simply lacks drama and the tension is not that high. It's a compelling watch for the most part. There are scenes suggesting the NFL coming after the doctors but they don't always say it directly. The punches are pulled a little and considering it's the NFL, I don't blame them. The retelling by Dr. Omalu of essentially the same story is slightly more intense. The movie adds very little drama to the true story.