Plot
In Pittsburgh, accomplished pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play.
Release Year: 2015
Rating: 6.4/10 (670 voted)
Critic's Score: 54/100
Director: Peter Landesman
Stars: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks
Storyline
Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
Writers: Peter Landesman, Jeanne Marie Laskas
Cast: Will Smith -
Dr. Bennet Omalu
Alec Baldwin -
Dr. Julian Bailes
Albert Brooks -
Dr. Cyril Wecht
Gugu Mbatha-Raw -
Prema Mutiso
David Morse -
Mike Webster
Arliss Howard -
Dr. Joseph Maroon
Mike O'Malley -
Daniel Sullivan
Eddie Marsan -
Dr. Steven DeKosky
Hill Harper -
Christopher Jones
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje -
Dave Duerson
Stephen Moyer -
Dr. Ron Hamilton
Richard T. Jones -
Andre Waters
Paul Reiser -
Dr. Elliot Pellman
Luke Wilson -
Roger Goodell
Sara Lindsey -
Gracie
Trivia:
Adapted from the GQ article "Game Brain", written by Jeanne Marie Laskas. See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 6/10
Read more @ The Awards Circuit (http://www.awardscircuit.com)
An inspiring, academic by the name of Dr. Bennet Omalu takes on the
titan of Sundays, the NFL, in order to prove a direct link from head
trauma during football games to CTE, a football related injury that
occurs. Writer/director Peter Landesman takes on the very detailed, and
dramatic thriller "Concussion," with an insightful amount of control in
direction, mostly thanks to Academy Award winning editor William
Goldenberg, who keeps most of the film at a decent pace. However, with
a clichéd script that brings the eye-rolling effect to a fever pitch,
you can't help but wish that the material was more rendered and secure
in its delivery. Surely to bring on an inner rage as we watch these
men, so revered by Americans on a weekly basis, beg for absolution as
they lose sight of themselves as time progresses. What doesn't work in
"Concussion's" favor is the glossing over the real human condition that
is so desperately apparent in each frame the film attempts to show.
Starring two-time Academy Award nominee Will Smith as Omalu, he
delivers one of his strongest performances ever. An impeccable capture
of a man from Africa, soulfully searching for acceptance in America,
Smith brings a visible intensity in each line spoken. Settling into a
role that calls for the best parts of Smith's charisma, which he has
demonstrated effortlessly throughout his career, he handles it with an
equally emotional heft that garners most of the film's best moments.
This is a performance that deserves to be considered for the Academy
Award for Best Actor.
Landesman also constructs a decent cast with Alec Baldwin (not totally
owning his own southern-ish accent in his exchanges), Gugu Mbatha- Raw
(beautiful but utterly wasted in under developed scenes), and David
Morse (who deserves much more roles and is quite effective in his
limited screen time). Of all the supporting players, Albert Brooks
delivers as the vulgar Dr. Cyril Wecht. It'll call back to his beloved
turn in "Drive" just a few years back (minus villainous murders). As a
distracting entity, Luke Wilson cast as Roger Goodell is a poor choice
by the filmmakers, serving nothing more as celebrity wallpaper.
Composer James Newton Howard puts his horns on overload, sweeping into
scenes that work well in films like "The Village" but with a film such
as "Concussion," it begins to grate on the ears at times.
At 123 minutes, the film bloats like you over indulged at dinner time.
In some bizarre, and almost "too try hard" choices, Landesman attempts
to focus on some of the more "human" and "natural" elements of Dr.
Omalu's life. As we find ourselves more interested in the case at hand,
the writer/director almost sets out to make his version of "The
Insider," which would be fine if he got a better grasp on which
elements he should focus on.
"Concussion" isn't a complete failure, delivering at times with a
grandiose turn from Will Smith. If anything, he's more than worth the
admission ticket but I believe most of all, the film does successfully
place a spotlight on an issue that is in desperate need of change. The
final title cards will prove the NFL's power, and even deepen your
frustration and anger. I think that it'll at least offer up a
discussion point. That's success on its own.
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