The film, based on a real story set in 1995 against the World Cup rugby, focuses on President Nelson Mandela (a majestic Morgan Freeman), who -- during his first presidential term -- sets out to embrace South Africa's rugby team, a symbol of racism before the white supremacy regime in that country had ended.
The team has not done anything to welcome his peace gesture. In fact, Mandela's supporters are initially dismayed by his action. But he insists that by supporting the team (which has only one black player) led by a charismatic captain (Matt Damon), he can start a reconciliation process. He works on building the morale of the team.
The well-reviewed film was number three on the box office charts this weekend in North America with a $9 million gross. The highest grossing film was the 2-D kid movie, The Princess And The Frog ($25 million), followed by The Blind Side ($15 million).
Invictus' theme of reconciliation and revenge offers moral challenges to nations across the globe, the review in The New York Times said. 'It's an exciting sports movie, an inspiring tale of prejudice overcome and, above all, a fascinating study of political leadership,' The Times wrote.
Trade publication The Hollywood Reporter marveled at Eastwood's audacity in making the film at all. 'Nothing speaks so dramatically about Clint Eastwood's recent and remarkable burst of creativity as a director of awards-worthy films than the appearance of Invictus, a historical drama that few if any filmmakers could have launched within the studio system,' it wrote. 'Here is a movie about Nelson Mandela, South Africa after apartheid and, of all things, the sport of rugby. None is high on any list of topics that studio suits crave, which tend more toward vampires and superheroes.'
The $60 million movie, shot mostly in South Africa and mostly with a black cast, was made by Eastwood last year at age 79. Even without big nominations, it could end up with $50 million in North America, earning substantially more abroad. With solid nominations, it could reach $150 million worldwide.
Interestingly, it followed another sports movie, the surprise box office hit The Blind Side over the weekend. The Sandra Bullock-starrer, which cost half that of Invictus, reached $150 million in North America. It is expected to make at least $210 million in North America. But Blind Side is more melodramatic and emotionally manipulating than Invictus.
Both films are released by Warner and both are inspirational. In Invictus, the change is sought by a black man. In Blind Side, also based on a true story, a white family inspires a homeless young man become a nationally recognised athlete.
Some people might rightly wonder about the appropriateness of the title Invictus -- and whether it would interest the audiences. Eastwood chose the name because the Victorian age poem (meaning Victorious) was a favourite with Mandela, who kept a handwritten copy of it in his nearly three decades in a South African prison under the white racist rule. It was written by a British poet William Earnest Henley.
Its last two lines, 'I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul' inspired Mandela most during his captivity. In a few weeks, we shall know if the film has lured a significant number of people worldwide.
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