A film we would recommend is the recently released The Great Debaters. We have seen it twice and have every intention of seeing it again; it is that good.
The film was on released in the US on Christmas Day and we are not ashamed to say that while the Americans were heading to the theatres to see the film we were in the comfort of our home viewing a DVD copy which we bought for $200 (US$1). Piracy is wrong; we know. But as we have said before, we see the logic in purchasing something for ‘next to nothing’ as against struggling to find the funds an original would cost.
Okay, back to the film, it was great and not because it had such actors as Denzel Washington, who also directed it, and Forest Whittaker. The Great Debaters has a very powerful and inspirational story line and an ensemble of actors and actresses that are the envy of many.
It is said to be based on the true story of Melvin B. Tolson, a professor at Wiley College, Texas who in 1935 inspired students to form the school’s first debate team, which went on to challenge Harvard in the national championship.
The Great Debaters could best be described as a treat, which includes four young people exemplifying truth, respect, pride and dignity. While entertaining, with some preaching, the film shows four African-American debaters succeeding in the face of adversity, growing stronger with success and defeat. Their thought-provoking debates just suck you in. There are some very serious issues in the film and two of them deal with a confrontation on the road between two farmers and a minister over a dead hog, and a lynching in the middle of the night. Both of the issues are reflections of the time in which the film is set and can be some what unsettling and disturbing.
The Great Debaters is certainly not mindless entertainment as it leaves a lasting impression. It has no gratuitous sex, but there is a hint of romance. It can be described as fast paced but it is not physical action rather it is verbal action. The film lives up to its name and it has something for everyone. While not every one will like it, we feel anyone who enjoys a quality film will.
On the other side of the coin it would be remiss of us not to mention that there is a raging debate in the US about whether many of the scenes in the film are actually based on reality, even though the film claims to be based on actual events. It is argued that the real debaters so many decades back did not actually debate a team from the Harvard, but rather another university. It is also argued that only one of the four debaters actually existed and this of course makes the closing credits somewhat misleading since their subsequent exploits and achievements are there.
However, baring the above debate, who’s to know who is right and who is wrong. And we would still strongly recommend The Great Debaters, even if it were fiction.
Now that the holidays have come to an end (can you believe it?) we would suggest that you sit back, relax and enjoy a film which we can assure you would take your minds off your money worries, if only temporarily. We know you are kicking yourself over the amount of money you spent for the season and like we have done previously we strongly recommend that you spend more wisely come this year end; don’t put yourself through the mental torture you are experiencing right now again. On the other hand some of us are not worrying about the money, we had fun during the season, and that is what it is all about, right?
thescene@stabroeknews.com
