Invictus
U/A; Drama
Dir: Clint Eastwood
Cast: Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon
***



What's it about: Invictus means unconquered. Here the reference is to the 1995 rugby World Cup final. Mandela (Freeman), after serving 27 years in prison, is released and elected as the president of South Africa. A sportsman at heart, he takes a risk when he extends his support to the national rugby team -- the Springboks.

Marred by allegations of racial discrimination and touted as a symbol of apartheid by the locals, his decision doesn't get enough support. He talks to the team captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon) and explains why his stand on using rugby, is to bring a divided nation together.

What's hot: You can't think of anyone else who would make a better Mandela than Freeman. Right from the first frame that he lights up, there is such honesty and poignant grace in his character that you know he was destined to play the part. Without getting indulgent or preachy, he tackles the role with sincerity and there's a certain comfort zone that he builds within his space that makes his Mandela more real. The rugby scenes are rousing and keep the momentum of the film going. Damon seems to have studied the game well enough to become one of the players leaving his Hollywood hat behind.