Eoin Heffernan (liammovie)

A little bit sprawling but certainly entertaining and worthwhile. Some of the set pieces are terrific.

The entire Rugby World Cup is replay in near entirety which sent this picture well past the 120 minute boundary. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing but this film is very unfortunately heavy on the rugby but too light on the underlying issues, many of which remain today in spite of the SA WC victory and the best efforts of Mandela.

Eastwood hints at human weakness in Mandela lightly showing Freeman playfully flirting with attractive young women. However too much of this is light and playful. Even (gasp) Freeman's average performance and Damon's Boston/SA accent.

Even in a year with 10 Best Picture nominees, I would be shocked to see this Disneyfied version of SA history to be nominated.

Richie Cunningham asses some serious kick in John Wayne's last movie. End scene is beyond words.