The NFL: The New Freaking Liars

Rating: 8/10 (1 April 2016)

Out of the league of the same year's Spotlight, but I am still glad this doctor's story was told and the sins were sought out.
It is far from a secret to anyone that knows me that I loathe football. But, oddly, this damaging story to that sport didn't make me hate it more. Big bad corporations that America can't simply live without will always do damage control and lie through their teeth to both keep profits up and their product sill producingeven at the cost of their own "employee's" lives and families.
No, the movie, Concussion, didn't make me hate it more, but it did make me understand the dangers more and appreciation for humble people who want to only do the right thing. Since I couldn't care less about the game, I'm actually blind to how much trauma these players accumulate. Until now.
The movie follows the walking ten-page-resume, Dr. Bennet Omalu, from when he stumbled upon the horrific side-effects of playing football and through the obvious lies from the NFL.
That's a pretty quick and easy summery of this two-hour film, and don't get me wrong: this is completely worth seeing, if not for the triumph of the good Doctor, but for the fantastic performance from Will Smith.
Admittedly, I haven't seen all of his movies, like his other Oscar- worthy performances, but this, by far, was the greatest acting I have seen from him. There wasn't a shot where I didn't see Smith as Omalu. He was completely transformed and I praise his talents for this role and proving he's not the same note he most always is.
This "praise" isn't to take away from the supporting cast, which were also pretty darn good, as well as the filmmaking here. This was, indeed, a well shot and sometimes beautiful film.
Was it perfect? Eh, no, but there's not much to complain about outside nitpicking the over-dramatized clichés critics see at least on a biweekly basis.
Totally worth seeing and hope more do see it so they know the plays they're cheering on Sunday are the same ones that could possibly kill these men.
***
Final thoughts: I am uncertain on Will Smith's take on the whole "Oscar So White" controversy I heard that began with his wife, Jada. Actors get snubbed all the time and wrong ones get in there, as well. Not just by my opinion, but usually, universally we can agree some just don't belong in the race and many great films and performances were overlooked. That said, I believe, no actor should choose a role to gain an Oscar and then proceed to act their asses off just to get that award. Sorry, I saw that too many times from Leoand it was such a distraction from his movies. I'm just glad Leo finally won so he can just go back to acting.
I digress. Smith gave a great performance in a movie with a message we need to hear. His reward will be more people seeing thisand I hope they do.