David Ansen at Newsweek has put out his first review of Clint Eastwood Invictus, a film I think is one of the best of 2009. We were under embargo but since Ansen has already published his review, I do believe all bets are off. For me, it’s all good. I have a feeling that the way the critics react to a movie can sometimes be influenced by the way the bloggers react first. In other words, high expectations often lead to disappointment, and thus, more harsh reviews. Hatred of the blogger can sometimes spur the backlash even further – so with regard to high profile critics, it’s best to them release their reviews first and thus, avoiding any kind of petty reaction that has nothing to do with the film they saw but rather their need to separate themselves from the consensus.
Have you all had enough of my amateur sociology lectures?
Here is Ansen on Invictus:
Invictus is not a biopic; nor does it take us deep inside any of its characters—Eastwood views Mandela from a respectful middle distance. It’s about strategic inspiration. We witness a politician at the top of his game: Freeman’s wily Mandela is a master of charm and soft-spoken gravitas. Anthony Peckham’s sturdy, functional screenplay, based on John Carlin’s book Playing the Enemy, can be a bit on the nose (and the message songs Eastwood adds are overkill). Yet the lapses fade in the face of such a soul-stirring story—one that would be hard to believe if it were fiction. The wonder of Invictus is that it actually went down this way.
Once I get official word that the embargo has been lifted, I will share my review with you fine people. I know, I know, alert the media….
26 Responses for "First Invictus Review – “Soul-Stirring”"
Fantastic news! It looks like we finally have a movie actually worthy of Best Picture. Assuming UP gets shoved into animation and in advance of the arrival of Avatar and Sherlock Holmes this must be the favourite now – a critically acclaimed, soul-stirring crowd-pleaser released during a depression? Unstoppable.
But does Harry Knowles think it`s invictly? Cause if it isn`t, no Oscar…oops, forgot that the Clintus isn`t his buddy. So no need for Harry to give it a praise that will become the butt of jokes and ruin the movie`s cred. Not the biggest fan of the Clint but the man chooses his friends wisely.
So Invictus isn’t faltering then? Didn’t think so.
Glenn Kenny (formely of Premiere) included it in his top 70 of the decade. He said he can’t talk about it yet but he thought it was that good.
Invictus will soon join Precious and Up In The Air as 100% locks of the year. The Lovley Bones is falling fast.
Reading Ansen’s review, it’s not an out and out rave: ” . . .nor does it take us deep inside any of its characters . . can be a bit on the nose.” Still, a good review. Just sayin’ . . .
Yeah, it’s hardly a rave. A positive review certainly, but “soul-stirring” seems taken out of context and like the kind of sound byte the studio will slap on posters and tv-spots that doesn’t really encompass Ansen’s opinion.
I’ve heard some unofficial grumblings about this film, but with Sasha and Glenn Kenny apparently loving it, it seems headed for mostly good reviews but maybe not universal acclaim. We shall soon know!
For reference, Glenn Kenny also includes Gran Torino in his Top 70 of the decade. I enjoyed that film in a LOL so bad its good kind of way, but end of decade list, no, no no no.
I vary on my reaction to Eastwood’s style, which the remark about not taking us deeply into the characters is a fair overview. Sometimes it’s perfectly played, other times too shallow. But no doubt about it, Eastwood is a talented director with a oftimes delicate touch. But I’m not sold on Morgan Freeman as Mandela, nor the casting of Matt Damon. This will be a hard sell for me as anything other than Oscar bait.
There are many BP winners that didn`t take anyone deep into characters (Titanic, ROTK, Slumdog, just to name a few off the top of my head) but won on the strength of being loved by those who saw them. Which is why I doubt Precious win. It goes deep into Mo`nique character as it gets, for exmaple, and she`s impossibly brilliant, but is it a movie people trully love?
Eastwood could film a cow taking a turd and critics would love it. He’s the most overrated director working today.
Yer, he may be overrated, but that’s no reason to dismiss a film unseen. Plus even overrated actors/directors hit gold more often than not. That’s probably partly why they are overrated in the first place.
Bambi, Yes it is loved. Just look at the ratings. Boxoffice, reviews.
Speaking of love and boxoffice, Blind Side`s hold has been so good that Boxoffice Derby players at Boxoffice Mojo think it could go over $200 mio! SaBu nomination may be happening after all!!!
I hoping Invictus does good in the boxoffice and with critics now that The Lovley Bones seems to be a dud. So far this year Precious is the only film that is 3 for 3. 1. Outstanding reviews (92% rottentomatoes, 91% COTC), Great boxoffice( not even wide yet and already close to 30 Million), already won major awards and Great WOM( A+ Cinamascore, A yahoo Grade, 87 on Rotten Tomatoes users and 8.7 Metacritics user score). I hoping Invictus or Up in the Air will be the nest to do the same.
Jamie, I agree that Precious seems to be the only movie that is 4 for 4 so far but what about IB. that movie was a boxoffice hit and got good reviews aswell. I am not happy with TLB reaction so far but we still have time and I am Mad that An Education and The Hurt Locker got overlooked by people in the boxoffice. Both of those films got great reviews and yet people still did not see them
So far there are only 3 locks this year, Two of them are 100% locks( Precious and Up in The Air) with 7 slots still open all Invictus needs to do is to stay above 70% on RT to get in. In Other words, if it get Gran Torino reviews it is in.
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Jamie, I agree that Precious seems to be the only movie that is 4 for 4 so far but what about IB. that movie was a boxoffice hit and got good reviews aswell. I am not happy with TLB reaction so far but we still have time and I am Mad that An Education and The Hurt Locker got overlooked by people in the boxoffice. Both of those films got great reviews and yet people still did not see them
I See your name is jamie to.I’ll change mine to Jamie101. Anyway back on topic. I could see IB getting in but it needs to pick up more buzz
Kris Tapley calls it a flat snooze and Ansen himself seems on the fence. Looks like another potential Flags… to me, but we’ll see.
i admit this makes me want to see it more.
precious and up in the air are both mad deserving locks.
fingers crossed for a single man, the hurt locker and an education.
Here comes Clint’s annual Oscar assult! LOL.
Many times Kris Tapley has been lukewarm to films I’ve loved so I take that comment of his as not too worrying. I loved Gran Torino and most of Clint’s work so I am hoping this one is another Oscar nominee! Those of us of an older generation like slower sentimental films at times…
THE YEAR OF SUDAFRICA
A revolutionary sci fi…District 9
A masterclass of performance…John Malcovich/Disgrace
A prestige vehicle…Eastwood´s Invictus
Add Sharlto Copley to masterclass performance too. He`s Sudafrican and never acted before which makes his acting even more Wow.
In a perfect world in which we obviously do not live in, I feel it would be such a great thing if everyone, professionally paid critics included, saw the movies at the same time. Same weekend. I think you would have a glaring difference of opinion that way. Nobody would have anything but their own film attending experience to draw from. Not some critic that saw the movie a month ( or sometimes 3 ) before everybody else does. I think we would all be more honest in our opinions because there would be no early pandering or sway held. As with every single film I see, I will hold the right to my own opinion. I personally didn’t think either Precious and An Education was the best thing since sliced bread as practically everyone else seems to feel but that’s just me. I didn’t find them bad, I quite thought they were well made films but there many yet I need to see before making such claims at this point in time. And this ( Invictus ) is no exception. And Bachelor… how does Invictus get in if it gets the same reviews as Gran Torino ? I don’t get logic in that Gran Torino wasn’t nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
One thing missing from the movie , they dont show those saffer bastards poisening the allblacks food .
The only reason why they won , saffers are known for poisening touring rugby sides , cheats !
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