The Great Debaters
The Great Debaters is Denzel Washington's second time around as a director. I must say that although it is a formulaic film it is still a good one and worth seeing.
It is based on a true story (by Robert Eisele who also wrote the screenplay). The time is 1935 and the place is Texas. Wiley College is a small school for black students. Among their teachers is James Farmer, Sr. (Forest Whitaker) who was the first black man to earn a Ph.D. Farmer's son James, Jr. - (Denzel Whitaker - no relation but there really is a resemblance) - who later on founded the organization CORE - is one of the students chosen for the school's debate team that is being coached by Melvin Tolson (Washington). Two of the other debaters are Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) and Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett).
There is another young man on the debate team but he eventually drops out.
There is the theme of never giving up that pervades the film. And that is a positive and powerful theme. It is a pleasure to see these young folks quoting such esteemed writers like Joyce and Lawrence. The politics of the day is also part of the film. Tolson has some strong political beliefs that get him into some trouble. And, of course, we witness the horrible conditions under which black people were forced to live in the South at that time.
Washington is good and the elder Whitaker is wonderful. And the three young actors are terrific. Oprah Winfrey produced this film and I give her a thumbs up for helping to create something inspirational.
No, The Great Debaters does not break any new ground in the world of filmmaking. But it is good for your heart and soul.
It is based on a true story (by Robert Eisele who also wrote the screenplay). The time is 1935 and the place is Texas. Wiley College is a small school for black students. Among their teachers is James Farmer, Sr. (Forest Whitaker) who was the first black man to earn a Ph.D. Farmer's son James, Jr. - (Denzel Whitaker - no relation but there really is a resemblance) - who later on founded the organization CORE - is one of the students chosen for the school's debate team that is being coached by Melvin Tolson (Washington). Two of the other debaters are Henry Lowe (Nate Parker) and Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett).
There is another young man on the debate team but he eventually drops out.
There is the theme of never giving up that pervades the film. And that is a positive and powerful theme. It is a pleasure to see these young folks quoting such esteemed writers like Joyce and Lawrence. The politics of the day is also part of the film. Tolson has some strong political beliefs that get him into some trouble. And, of course, we witness the horrible conditions under which black people were forced to live in the South at that time.
Washington is good and the elder Whitaker is wonderful. And the three young actors are terrific. Oprah Winfrey produced this film and I give her a thumbs up for helping to create something inspirational.
No, The Great Debaters does not break any new ground in the world of filmmaking. But it is good for your heart and soul.
posted by Film Fanatic | 3:49 PM
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