Invictus | The Game That Changed A Nation | The Critique

After the apartheid era, bringing South Africa as a nation was perhaps the biggest challenge President Nelson Mandela had. Bringing whites and blacks close as South African was anything but easy. The idea that once racism is condemned every difference would cease to exist was an immature thought. Mandela knew that very well. However, to make the nation, this was the first step.

Springboks, dominated by whites, represented SA in Rugby. However, Sports Committee dominated by blacks decides to oppose them as Springboks reminds them of the racism-inflicted past. Mandela sees this as a step backwards. He makes it a point that in South Africa, whites and blacks should behave like one. He convinces Sports Committee. Some people still oppose the idea but with their actions and behavior, Springboks manage to steal the hearts. How do they do that? Here lies the idea of the story. In the end one team wins, one loses, one nation rises, two races unites and one idea works for the betterment of common cause.

Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon as Skipper Pienaar gave stellar performances in a rather difficult movie. The trick in this type of movies lie in moments but Clint Eastwood, the director, relied more on the understated emotions. This might not give you goose bumps but you might feel a heavy lump in your throat.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh