Concussion (2015)

Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

This is an astonishing documentary that will wring your heart while it bends your mind

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

This film is an incredible David and Goliath story. It really brings to attention the massive trauma epidemic sweeping American Football. The film itself is superbly well written with a poetic, powerful yet realistic script. The whole production is well directed and keeps the focus on the overriding story of NFL trauma and the fight for Omalu to be heard, which makes it all the more humble, modest and powerful (I've repeated that word for good reason!). To top it off, this is the best Will Smith acting I've seen. Taking into account all the things that make a film great - this film is outstanding.

The film centers on Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith) a highly educated Nigerian pathologist working in the city of Pittsburgh. When Mike Webster died young, Omalu performs a full autopsy. He then orders brain slides where he discovers Webster had CTE, a condition where the brains proteins change the brain as Webster cries out, "I'm dyeing in here!" As more football players die young, a case is made that the frequent blows to the head cause the problem, evidence that won't go awayOmalu is an unorthodox pathologist who appears eligible for sainthood. He embellishes everything that is good, while the NFL, not so good. In the end science prevailed, although the problem still exists. It was an interesting film, even though you knew how it ends.Guide: F-bomb. No sex or nudity.

As soon as I saw that Scott Free was involved with this picture I was intrigued. Ridley Scott is a Producer on this picture and he has a very high track record of hits behind him as producer and director. He did not direct this one. This film follows the true story of Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian forensic neuropathologist working as as coroner in Pittsburgh who discovers brain damage from head injuries due to professional football. The story tracks Omalu's issues when this all comes to light and his battle with the NFL. Will Smith is once again fantastic in the role of Omalu and his Nigerian accent is bang on and never falters as many actors do when using an accent that is different from their own. Albert Brooks did a great job as Omalu's boss and brings his unique comic wit to the role. Alex Baldwin is another standout as Dr. Julian Bailes who helps Omalu fight the NFL and get the word out about this injury. I highly recommend this film.

I am a big sports fan so I was interested on seeing the other side of the story with concussion and I really enjoyed it. The premise of the film sees a pathologist find out the damage that concussion in American football really can cause. Will smith plays Dr Bennett omalu in this film and this is possibly his best ever performance, he totally washed away the will Smith I usually see and bought into this character that is so interesting and likable. He nailed the accent and I feel like he gave everything in the dramatic scenes hoping for that Oscar. Albert brooks plays his boss and I thought he was pretty awesome in this film, his chemistry with smith is really good and he definitely provides a lot of comic relief which does really work. Alec Baldwin plays a doctor more in line with the football side and he is also great in this film, he has great scenes with smith that can be really emotional. Gugu mbatha raw plays a girl who ends up having to live with omalu and she does a good job as they start to build a friendship based on there differences and I liked it. The story of the film is really interesting as you see omalu going through the investigation into the concussion law and a conflict he does have with the NFL. However the first bit of the film just isn't that interesting as you see all these things that don't involve concussion and I was waiting for this film to get going. The script has some great dramatic dialogue especially by smith who nails it in the role, also surprisingly when needed it has some really good humour in it as well. The style of the film has some really intense scenes in it that makes you care about the situation. But I feel like it would been better if the subject matter was more balanced instead of being totally against the NFL which this film does. Overall I really enjoyed watching the film and found it interesting to watch.