Mission 7D.7F.7C – Day Four: Invictus

Okay, so I’m loving how busy this mission is keeping me, with no time for idle thoughts and all that, but the daily travelling is wearing me out! I don’t know how I managed to get around town during my college days when I was clocking so many more miles in a week than I do in a month these days.

Here goes day four of Mission 7D.7F.7C:

Date: March 4, 2010

Film: Invictus

Cinema: PVR Cinemas, Forum Mall, Hosur Road, Bangalore

What was supposed to be an inspirational film about South Africa’s first black leader using the sport of rugby to unite a country torn apart by apartheid turned out to be a disappointing series of events that relies too heavily on metaphors and forced sentimentality to represent the coming together of racially distinct groups.

With most films, by the time the closing credits roll, you have a good idea of what the film was about. With Invictus though, the core idea behind the film becomes murkier as the film progresses till you are left wondering what the story was all about. For example, is this the story of a new president working hard to bring his people together? Or is it about the wonders that a sport can bring about? Or is it about two leaders influencing each other such that it brings about a winning situation for both? I don’t know! Maybe the director was trying to tell too many stories at the same time, failing to tell even one in a manner that resonates with the audience.

Something about it’s narration and pace makes it seem staged and not real enough. It lacks focus. Almost as if the entire film is based on a formula for box office success as opposed to what really happened. Where true stories go, Clint Eastwood should have taken a page out of ‘Remember The Titans’.

I’m so disappointed, I don’t even have a review for you folks.

For that, I rate the film a poor 2.5/5.

How it has been nominated for two Oscars, escapes me.