  
The Great DebatersMPAA Rating:
 for depiction of strong thematic material including violence and disturbing images, and for language and brief sexualityReviewed by: Saundra Gordon Average
Moviemaking Quality:
Primary Audience:
Teens, Adults
Genre:
Drama, History
Length:
2 hr. 3 min.
Year of Release:
2007
USA Release:
December 25, 2007 (wide); DVD: May 13, 2008
           Relevant Issues
What are the consequences of racial prejudice and false beliefs about the origin of races? Answer 
“When the nation was in need, he inspired them to give us hope.” Producer’s Synopsis: “Inspired by a true story, ‘The Great Debaters’ chronicles the journey of Professor Melvin Tolson, a brilliant but volatile debate team coach who uses the power of words to shape a group of underdog students from a small African American college in the deep south into a historically elite debate team. A controversial figure, Professor Tolson challenged the social mores of the time and was under constant fire for his unconventional and ferocious teaching methods as well as his radical political views.” The fact that this movie is based on a true story gives it merit and credibility. It depicts very graphically the struggles African Americans went through in order to be recognized as valid contenders for a college debate team. Denzil Washington and Forrest Whitaker are excellent, as were all the actors. Although it shows a redeeming ending, the graphic violence throughout much of the movie might be depressing, even for some adults. There was also some sensuality in the movie. I recommend the film for older teens through adults. Violence: Moderate / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Mild See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.  Comments below:
Positive
Positive - I was very moved by this film. It was very well done delivered a powerful message. Denzel is awesome as always. There are a couple of scenes, like a man burned and hanging and a raid with violent, that could be touchy with younger children. With older kids it could be a wonderful teaching point and a great way to encourage compassion for what African Americans have had to endure. There is one brief scene where a man and women sleep together and are not married. Despite this scene, I would still recommend this movie. Overall, I think this is an excellent film and would encourage its support. Positive - What a powerful film! Probably the best film I've seen this year! This movie is directed by and stars Denzel Washington but the real stars of the film are the students that he inspires to compete (and win) on a debate team. As was said, the scene of a lynching was upsetting but in light of the setting of the film it was understandable that it be included. Please see this as a family; it will definitely open up areas of discussion. Positive - This movie is definitely a message movie, intended to inspire hope and thought. I personally wish it had not resorted to a rather large historical inaccuracy, namely, that this debate team from a small black college won over Harvard. Actually it bested the University of Southern California. Nevertheless, the movie has good achievements in directing and acting by the enthusiastic and talented Denzel Washington and the fresh faces that perform the major roles, not to mention the brilliant performance by the always splendid Forest Whitaker, playing a deeply spiritual and intellectually gifted minister. John Heard also appears, playing with great effect a sinister sheriff whose whiny voice with a sadistic edge to it helped create the hideous world of the racist South during the Depression. There are sobering scenes of lynching, racial violence, and sexual immorality and carousing. However, the thrust of the story is the courageous and inspiring effort by the debating students to achieve intellectual victory despite great odds. Positive - My husband, father and I just went to this film and we all loved it. We plan to take our 14 year old and perhaps also our 12 year old to the movie too. This story about the power of words, our history of racial injustice and its scars is very well done. While the movie has a strong Christian preacher character, the movie does not develop his role or faith in the development of these young people. Rather, education is held up as the saving influence. There is an unfortunate brief sex scene between two young, unmarried characters. Drinking and cavorting with women is shown to be a helpless antidote to the poison of race in society while inner strength and the power of a well articulated argument offer hope. Comments from young people
Positive - I went to see this film because of the subject: debating. I am involved in a Christian youth policy-debate league, and I wanted to see what the film's take on debating was. The film, however, is not really about debating, but rather about racial issues. I very much liked the movie, a bit long, but still very good. But as with any film that focuses on racial issues, there is bound to be some immorality along the lines of crude racial slurs, lack of respect for African-Americans, and even a scene revealing a recently-lynched black man. Besides that, otherwise coarse language is used, and a very brief scene with sexual activity is seen; there is nothing graphic, but it is still obvious. It's PG-13 rating is deserved. But I was very much moved by the film, and it really took me back into the times. I was never alive then, but I felt it was a accurate dipiction of the racial issue (as well as debating!). Bottom line: give it a shot. Except for the elements mentioned above, it was a clean film that was packed with meaning. Movie Critics
…‘The Great Debaters’ doles out idealism. It shamelessly glamorizes education, perseverance and the beauty of the human intellect, and it reminds us that the path to equality and justice doesn't run through MTV. …Though ‘The Great Debaters’ (produced by Oprah Winfrey) is filled with hope and inspiration, it is marred by historical inaccuracies and a marked imbalance in its racial portrayals.… …one of the best-crafted movies of 2007. …a very emotional and powerful story… The violence is intense, especially a lynching scene. There is also some heavy drinking and sexual immorality… …All roles are well-played… But the film’s revelation is young Denzel Whitaker, a presence who lights up the screen… …If I were a debater arguing the negative, I'd say ‘The Great Debaters’ is a story of intellectual rigor that relies too much on emotional persuasion. But the heck with that—there's so much to like in Denzel Washington's new movie, it's easier to accentuate the positive.… …‘The Great Debaters’ wins despite its predictability… an enjoyable, rousing film… |
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