Very inspiring but no surprises

Rating: 8/10 (1 March 2011)

While I am a history teacher and know much more about South African history than the average American, but as an American I am still woefully ignorant of this far away country's history. Most everyone here knows almost nothing about Mandela and South Africa---so we are usually unable to critically examine "Invictus"--only to enjoy it. So I have no idea if Nelson Mandela is as wonderfully kind and wise as he is in the film or more just an ordinary man. In other words, is this an accurate biography or is it hero worship...I just don't know. And this movie gets me to thinking that perhaps it is time I do get to know more about the man and the nation--especially as I am planning on visiting there in 2013. I mention all this because usually when I review films I am VERY critical of the historical accuracy of a movie but in this case I am just not the best person to be doing this. It also makes me feel bad that I just don't know more about the country--especially since our news stories pretty much stopped on South Africa following the collapse of Apartheid.
"Invictus" is an interesting film because it's like a biography and history lesson combined. At times, it focuses on Mandela as President of the new South Africa and others it focuses on the divided nation--and bounces back and forth between this. This is NOT a bad thing, as using the metaphor of rugby to represent the nation is a clever way to tell the story. The only problem is that although it's quite inspiring and well made, the viewer is never surprised--not even once. What you think will happen, happens. And, oddly, there isn't even a plot device to bring in any tension or make the viewer doubt the outcome in the least. As a result, it's easy to see why "Hurt Locker" beat out "Invictus" for the Best Picture Oscar and I think other nominees I've seen (such as "Precious" and "Avatar") were better films. However, I COULD see how "Invictus" won acting Oscars, as this was top-notch. Oddly, however, Morgan Freeman played a much smaller man (Mandela) and the opposite is true of Matt Damon playing a much bigger man than he really is.
While it's almost completely unlikely to ever happen, I'd sure love to be able to watch this film with a mixed group of South Africans--to listen to their insights and comments on what is occurring. I did not see this on DVD, so perhaps the DVD has some similar sort of commentary--it would be most enlightening if there is such an option.