Review: Invictus

Invictus is Clint Eastwood’s third film in barely over a year, and for a man who is turning 80 this year, you have to be impressed with his endurance. His partner-in-crime Morgan Freeman plays Nelson Mandela in a role that he physically and mentally is made for.

The film plays like Chariots-of-Fire meets Gandhi, but its a little weak on both parts. Freeman is a typical terrific self but at times I felt he was just playing himself (maybe chalk that up to how similar the men’s personas are). Matt Damon plays the captain of the South African rugby team who connects with Mandela as the famous leader sees a possibility to help the country through the national team at the World Cup. His character personifies the film in that he is a character that is made to be far more important and glorified than reality.

Invictus is a perfectly capable film, but for me it offered nothing memorable to the film landscape.

Grade: C or ★★½ (Out of 5)