“The Great Debaters” Review

What’s up with people totally skipping all of the good movies recently? It’s bad enough to see Sweeney Todd tanking, and now this movie couldn’t even debut in the top 10!  “The Great Debaters” probably looks a bit boring based on the trailer to some people but it’s actually not.  The movie follows four members of a debate team at an all black college in the 1930’s, and their coach, played by Denzel Washington (who also directed).  Forrest Whitaker is also in the movie, and you really can’t go wrong with these two Oscar winners.  And Oprah, of course.

The movie unsurprisingly goes the way of many sports and underdog films, and it does have a cliche or two, but for the most part it’s a pretty fresh take on the genre.  What I loved the most about the film was the dialogue and how Denzel’s character verbally sparred back and forth with the students.  The acting and the character development make the movie as well.  Some of you might remember Jurnee Smollet from when she was in Full House, and it’s pretty cool to see her break out in this film.  But I thought the kid who played Forrest Whitakers son was the heart and soul of the film; the scenes between him and his father where believable and some of the best.

Alright, I’m not going to give much more about the film away.  But there re more conflicts in this movie than just them winning their tournaments and race, which made the film well balanced. Check this one out if you need  a break from all the action and kid movies that are out at the moments.

B+