Playing for Something More

Rating: 10/10 (1 May 2011)

Invictus will inspire those who have never even heard of rugby. The story is about so much more than a sport, but without the sport the changes in South Africa may not have occurred. Nelson Mandela, played by Morgan Freeman, is a man of great character and moral strength but struggles to unify a nation faced with years of prejudices. That unifying factor becomes the sport of rugby where Mandela meets Matt Damon's character, Francois Pienaar. Francois, the Captain of the South African National Rugby Team, believes in his country and Mandela despite teammates and a family that has their share of doubts (Barber, Freeman, Moore, & Eastwood, 2009).
Mandela and Pienaar directly faced the fates of their country and rugby team that were very dim. Through persistence and courage, both of them change the team and country the have been entrusted to lead. Along the way, they become friends and motivated by one another. Mandela and Pienaar both become increasingly interested in the lives of each other. Nelson follows every moment of the rugby team and Pienaar takes his team to the prison that Mandela lived for many years (Barber, Freeman, Moore, & Eastwood, 2009).
Two men, who were united by a sport and the love of their country, changed everything around them. The games played during the Rugby Championship were just games to the other teams but the were something more to South Africa. The team was playing for the fate of their country and that unity could not be ignored. To some sports may seem silly but they have the power to do great things. Sports are a universal language the breaks many barriers around the world. It gives countries the way to unite and poor children hope for a better day (Barber, Freeman, Moore & Eastwood, 2009).
South Africa had rugby to unify its country and Michael Oher had American football to bring him a better day. The stories of Invictus and the Blind Side, show how sports are often much more than children or men playing with a ball. They give us an understanding of how much lives can be changed when we have something to unify us together.
Overall, I truly enjoyed Invictus despite knowing very little about rugby. I felt that rugby was going to be a huge hurdle for me before watching the movie but I walked away inspired by this movie. The acting of Freeman and Damon is excellent. The rugby scenes were incredibly realistic. They filmed the rugby scenes with angles that gave the viewers a firsthand experience. The noise of the crowds also brought an intriguing feel about the sport (Barber, Freeman, Moore, & Eastwood, 2009). This movie is definitely one I will recommend to others.
References Barber, G. (Producer), Freeman, M. (Producer/Actor), Moore, T. (Producer), & Eastwood, C. (Director). (2009). Invictus. U.S.A.: Warner Brothers.