The First of Something

It has been quite a long time since my last movie review (American Gangster, which was not even a real movie review as I just insisted people to watch it and leave the reviews to the others). So, in the name of releasing tension after my dreadful Mass Transfer test (on Thursday), my friends and I watch The Great Debaters. Each time I want to write a review, I try hard not to read ahead other people reviews. Sometimes I can't resists it, but in this case, I succeed (but I do cheated myself by searching for Wiley College in Wikipedia. My bad).

Two days before, in my Islamic and Asian Civilizations lecture, with only my physical well being present (my mental and psychology was fully occupied for that evening test), I learned a new thing. I can do multiple tasks! One of my ear was plugged in with mp3, reading notes for the evening test, listening to the lecture and even managed to have a little conversation with my neighbor from time to time with my mouth filled with chewing gums.

So, in a brief but memorable moment, I heard about my lecturer talks about African-American people in the late of 16th century. How they were brought from Africa to America as a slave to work at cotton farms. As a slave, they do not have any human rights and so they must assimilate abide the American culture. That long day has slowly faded. With many of them have been given their deserved rights and even has a chance to be the President of United State (I really hope that Barack Obama will win over Hillary Clinton though that has nothing to do with this movie), it was really a rude awakening for me to watch The Great Debaters and witness all the racial segregation and violence.

"We do what we have to do, so we can do what we want to do."

Some people says that there are already so many movies about the "First of Something" and making another movie about it should be stopped (and in this movie, the first black underdog debating team from Wiley College to debates against Harvard and won the national championship). But for me, there is no harm to show to the younger generation (like me) how much the difficulty to pave a path. A path that can be walked easily today without having to deal with the thorny bush. This is not a typical story of an underdog sport team that will win their championship cup. It's more than that.

The movie was inspirational and absolutely moving (after all, this is another Oprah Winfrey production). I finished the movie around 3am and could only reduce my excitement level at 4am to get the much needed sleep. Denzel Washington (as Melvin B. Tolson) and Forest Whitaker (Dr. James Farmer Sr.) done their job awesomely. Nate Parker (as Henry Lowe) and Jurnee Smollett (Samantha Book with an "e") acts are memorable. However, the character of James Farmer Jr. (played by Denzel Whitaker) wins my heart the most. Young (only 14 years old), intelligent and has a prominent father, the character developed well through out the story. Plus, he looks like a young Sean Kingston to me. Ha ha

Isn't he looks like a young version of Sean Kingston?

Who is the judge? The judge is God. Why he is a God? Because he sign out all out off the losers and not my opponents. Who is your opponents? He doesn't exist. Why he doesn't exist? Because he is merely involved in two type of speak. Speak the truth? Speak the truth!

However, the movie does not exceed my expectation especially when it comes to the technical arts of debating. The film more focused on the moral and social values instead of the debates itself. Not that I have any problem with it. But, I do think that the movie should stressed more on the delivering skill and when they were doing research for the arguments. Audiences shouldn't have to wait until the third part of the movie to see the arts in it. I have been in debating team for several times, and have learned some of the skills quite well, thanks to my fierce language teacher.

The first of something always will be the most of important part of your life. The first time you walk, talk, going to the first date, the first day of your miserable marriage life, the first day you go to work, and many other first of something that will effect your life. And in this case, not only individual life, but the society at large. Thrust me, the more you learn about the first something, the more you will appreciate your life. Part of the history should never be forgotten.

Hot Shit Form Here rate:

Have a your friends come over, and enjoy this great, great movie. My excellent rating says it all.

Other Reviews:

• Jimi Wiser (in Malay language)
• 411mania.com (9.5, Amazing, legend)
• Hollywood.com (3/4 stars)
• Washingtonpost.com (4/5 stars)
• Variety
• The Boston Globe
• BlackPerspective.net
  

The Awards:

• The 65th Golden Globe Award (Best Motion Picture - Drama)
• The 39th NAACP Image Award (Outstanding Motion Picture, Outstanding Actor (Danzel Washington), Outstanding Actress (Jurnee Smollett), Outstanding Supporting Actor (Denzel Whitaker), Outstanding Director in Motion Picture (Denzel Washington)
• National Board of Review USA (Freedom of Expression Award)
• PGA Award (Stanley Kramer Award)

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