INVICTUS

Matt Damon's bleach-blond hair in "Invictus" is enough reason for anyone to go see this movie, but is it really worth the money? Director Clint Eastwood's new film about Nelson Mandela (played by Morgan Freeman) trying to bond a nation by pushing the national rugby team to win the world cup is worthy, but very flawed.

The true story on which the film is based is nothing less than extraordinary, but "Invictus" fails to show the gravity of the game, or how important the rugby team actually is. Freeman is incredible, not for one minute is he Morgan Freeman, he is Mandela through and through. Damon is also very good as Francois Pienaar, the captain of the rugby team. Eastwood tries to focus on both of these characters, but this results in almost no depth for either one of them. Mandela has a very intriguing story about his wife and daughter, but nothing is ever really revealed. Pienaar has a back story that involves his relationship with his Mandela-hating parents and black maid, but nothing really materializes out of this story either. What happened between Mandela and his family? Why does his daughter hate him? Did Pienaar's parents change their ways? I do not know, and neither did the writers I guess.

Unlike "The Blind Side", this film is not a complete failure with an enduring story. It has heart, is well directed and well acted. Eastwood's directing is very well done (when is it not?) and the rugby scenes are just brutal. The slow motion at the end of the film is not cheesy at all during the final rugby match. It works quite well actually, and makes the anticipation for what happens next very high. The editing during these scenes is amazing, but the film's 134 minute run time is way too long. With no depth for either character, it is hard to sit through a movie this long and not have a wandering mind. The rugby matches make up for the slow pace though, and they are an absolute treat to watch.

The cinematography during the rugby matches is absolutely stunning, the sped up "Saving Private Ryan" style and the slow motion camera work makes it very difficult to look away from the screen. It is also well done during the rest of the film, with some great shots of South Africa from the slums to the mansions in the country. The score of the film is just brilliant. It includes very dramatic and tear-stirring stings mixed in with tribal chants and other great moments.

The film is technically very well done, but there seems to be a lot missing from it. "Invictus" just ends up being another sports movie, with some back story on the country's turmoil. This does not stop the film from being enjoyable though. "Invictus" is a feel-good movie, it will pick you up off your feet, and then set you back down again. The film will make you feel great, but nothing really happens with the characters in the film. Nothing gets resolved between Mandela and his country, or Pienaar and his family. The screenplay is lacking too much for this to be one of the best films of 2009. There is just no real story that goes through the film, it is just one rugby match after another. If that is what you are looking for though, this is the movie for you.

Verdict: WAIT FOR VIDEO

***/***** (3/5 stars)