Freeman shines as Nelson Mandella leading a nation towards unity

Rating: 8/10 (6 January 2010)

I remember first hearing about the biopic Clint Eastwood was doing on Nelson Mandela with Morgan Freeman in the role and instantly knew I wanted to see the film. To find out it was about the world cup of rugby and Mandela leading the campaign for South Africa to win the title I wasn't so sure if I was as enthused as before. I was wrong. Sure, this movie has everything your typical sports drama does. Sentimentality, coming from behind to beat all odds, but through the rugby you see Mandela's vision for his racially divided country. I loved the first half of this movie leading up to the final game of the World Cup. From the opening scene seeing the black children playing soccer, and the white children playing rugby. Then to see Mandela drive by just after being freed from prison. It set the tone for the entire movie.
While this isn't a masterpiece by any stretch, I feel it accurately captured what Mandela meant to South Africa and the world. Morgan Freeman plays the role not as an impersonation, but as an embodiment that should definitely net him an Oscar nomination.
7.5/10