I had no idea that college debating was so boring. You will agree with me.
The Great Debaters
By
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com
Noble, brilliant suit-wearing Negros fight for equality in racist Texas circa 1935. All the white people are toothless, evil pig farmers. Denzel insults his white audience with caricatures.
I wasn’t going to review “The Great Debaters” knowing full well the ugly emails I would get. If I don’t like a movie made by or about black people, I’m a racist; I didn’t like “Rent,” so I’m homophobic; and only the Lord and I know what happens when I don’t like the “underdog team makes good” sports movie.
But no group out-ranks the LOTR army.
DISCLAIMER: I leave for my 7th trip to the continent of Africa next week. And, just so you know, I don’t do Africa behind a big white air-conditioned bus. I camp out with the people. I know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all my black neighbors and friends put together.
While I hope to go to Central Africa (Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso) next year, I must pass up visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rebel factions are notorious for attacking Western tourists. In 1998, foreigners were kidnapped and in 1999, a group of Western tourists was kidnapped and savagely hatched to death by rebels. Tourism to DRC is ill-advised.
This now said, let me also say that my critic colleagues encouraged me to write what they are afraid to write about “The Great Debaters,” even though they agree with me.
You’d think that when a top star directs, he’s got all the right support staff behind him. He’s watched and learned from great directors, he knows all about pacing and structure. He should know how to direct actors. “The Great Debaters” is poorly directed. All the acting is over-the-top. I’ve never seen a film with more sanctimonious, flaring nostrils, noble-faced actors. This is high school drama class directing. Everybody in “The Great debaters” is playing to the back row.
If you forgotten the cruel fight for equality, director and star Denzel Washington wants to shove it right back in your face. Denzel’s huge fan base might have either not known or forgotten America’s ugly past, so here it is. There is even a lynching.
What is Denzel Washington so bitter about? Julie Roberts, in her Vanity Fair cover story, continues to lust after him. He’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Why the grudge? Get some therapy!
Its 1935 and Wiley College’s Professor Melvin B. Tolson is the coach of the debating team. He’s also a poet and secret union organizer. When does he teach? A classroom full of students want to join the debating team, so Professor Tolson must whittle down all the top students to a four-member team. He chooses Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams) and arrogant Henry Lowe (Nate Parker). The two alternates are fiery feminist Samantha (Jurnee Smollett) and 14-year-old James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker).
Tolson is a fire-and-brimstone coach. Young James is the son of a strict preacher (Forest Whitaker) and, even though he is a brilliant student, he is given no slack. James Farmer Jr. grew up and founded the Congress of Racial Equality.
Tolson, dressed as a sharecropper and organizing the poor folk, comes to the attention of the mean town sheriff (John Heard). James follows Tolson to a union meeting and sees a lynching.
This is Texas in 1935 from director Washington’s point of view: Barely dressed, cud-chewing white pig farmers, racist sheriffs and deputies, and snotty, elite Harvard.
Tolson keeps applying and finally gets an invitation from Harvard to debate! Because of his union-organizing activities, he is unable to go with his team to Boston. The Wiley Debating Team suddenly loses Hamilton when his father questions Tolson alleged communist sympathies. At Harvard, the man who serves the trio their meals and attends to them is a classically trained, highly educated, well-dressed Negro.
I had no idea that college debating was so boring. You will agree with me.
How can one criticize “The Great Debaters” without looking like a mean-spirited racist? I also know how popular attending debating teams are with the movie-going public, so let me suggest you see the movie first before emailing me.
Victoria’s weekly column, “The Devil’s Hammer,” is posted every Monday. The Devil's Hammer on FTB. If you would like to be included on my distribution list for a weekly preview, just email me at masauu@aol.com.
By
Victoria Alexander
FilmsInReview.com
Noble, brilliant suit-wearing Negros fight for equality in racist Texas circa 1935. All the white people are toothless, evil pig farmers. Denzel insults his white audience with caricatures.
I wasn’t going to review “The Great Debaters” knowing full well the ugly emails I would get. If I don’t like a movie made by or about black people, I’m a racist; I didn’t like “Rent,” so I’m homophobic; and only the Lord and I know what happens when I don’t like the “underdog team makes good” sports movie.
But no group out-ranks the LOTR army.
DISCLAIMER: I leave for my 7th trip to the continent of Africa next week. And, just so you know, I don’t do Africa behind a big white air-conditioned bus. I camp out with the people. I know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all my black neighbors and friends put together.
While I hope to go to Central Africa (Togo, Benin, Burkina Faso) next year, I must pass up visiting the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Rebel factions are notorious for attacking Western tourists. In 1998, foreigners were kidnapped and in 1999, a group of Western tourists was kidnapped and savagely hatched to death by rebels. Tourism to DRC is ill-advised.
This now said, let me also say that my critic colleagues encouraged me to write what they are afraid to write about “The Great Debaters,” even though they agree with me.
You’d think that when a top star directs, he’s got all the right support staff behind him. He’s watched and learned from great directors, he knows all about pacing and structure. He should know how to direct actors. “The Great Debaters” is poorly directed. All the acting is over-the-top. I’ve never seen a film with more sanctimonious, flaring nostrils, noble-faced actors. This is high school drama class directing. Everybody in “The Great debaters” is playing to the back row.
If you forgotten the cruel fight for equality, director and star Denzel Washington wants to shove it right back in your face. Denzel’s huge fan base might have either not known or forgotten America’s ugly past, so here it is. There is even a lynching.
What is Denzel Washington so bitter about? Julie Roberts, in her Vanity Fair cover story, continues to lust after him. He’s one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. Why the grudge? Get some therapy!
Its 1935 and Wiley College’s Professor Melvin B. Tolson is the coach of the debating team. He’s also a poet and secret union organizer. When does he teach? A classroom full of students want to join the debating team, so Professor Tolson must whittle down all the top students to a four-member team. He chooses Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams) and arrogant Henry Lowe (Nate Parker). The two alternates are fiery feminist Samantha (Jurnee Smollett) and 14-year-old James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker).
Tolson is a fire-and-brimstone coach. Young James is the son of a strict preacher (Forest Whitaker) and, even though he is a brilliant student, he is given no slack. James Farmer Jr. grew up and founded the Congress of Racial Equality.
Tolson, dressed as a sharecropper and organizing the poor folk, comes to the attention of the mean town sheriff (John Heard). James follows Tolson to a union meeting and sees a lynching.
This is Texas in 1935 from director Washington’s point of view: Barely dressed, cud-chewing white pig farmers, racist sheriffs and deputies, and snotty, elite Harvard.
Tolson keeps applying and finally gets an invitation from Harvard to debate! Because of his union-organizing activities, he is unable to go with his team to Boston. The Wiley Debating Team suddenly loses Hamilton when his father questions Tolson alleged communist sympathies. At Harvard, the man who serves the trio their meals and attends to them is a classically trained, highly educated, well-dressed Negro.
I had no idea that college debating was so boring. You will agree with me.
How can one criticize “The Great Debaters” without looking like a mean-spirited racist? I also know how popular attending debating teams are with the movie-going public, so let me suggest you see the movie first before emailing me.
Victoria’s weekly column, “The Devil’s Hammer,” is posted every Monday. The Devil's Hammer on FTB. If you would like to be included on my distribution list for a weekly preview, just email me at masauu@aol.com.
(1-20 of 29 posts) | Reply
on Dec 11 2007 07:57 PM I clicked on this article cause I wanted to read a review, not an explanation for why some self-aggrandizing critic isn't a racist. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 13 2007 08:18 AM So, blacks did not have to go the extra mile to be recognized and overcome racism and elitism in the 30's? (Dress in suits, overcome adverse backgrounds, etc.) People who lived these situations understand ... you don't. This is a story worth telling, and I will go to see it. People who have never had to deal with bigotry and racism just will never know what it is like. You can go to Africa 1000 times. Do something over here to help overcome the damage racism has wrought upon the Africa-American community; that might impress me. You are funny with your proclamations of "I'm not a bigot, and my white buddies want me to be their great white hope to go against the Denzel smear machine". ;) You remind me of another caricature: "Some of my best friends are black". So far, Angelina Jolie and is one of the few affluent white's that DO something about their desire to help, and in the open, not behind closed doors. Your discussion was more race politics than the critique of a movie, so you got much of the same from me. ;) (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 13 2007 12:48 PM Victoria, Jesse and Al are busy right now, but you may issue your formal apology to the following web Disclaimer: It is not my intention to make light of the struggle black people have faced in this country. Most of my neighbors are black. You don't post names and addresses - right?! (Reply to this) |
on Dec 13 2007 03:08 PM I was at the premier of "The Great Debaters"; it was a great story line, great acting, the best cast of the year! A lot of heart and soul went into the movie. Denzel Washington did a absolutely fantastic job at directing this film as well as acting in it. It deserves in several respects Academy Award nominations. My description in words: integrity, high quality, meaningful, superb!...and I am caucasian, by the way; I also have done humanitarian work all over the world; so bolony with all that garbage. It is simply a wonderful movie and not boring at all! It is a great family movie. I can't wait to bring my kids; and God forbid that we ever forget our errors in history. debster401@msn.com (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 16 2007 04:52 PM (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 17 2007 03:54 AM I really didnt want to make a comment because obviously that was what you want.Anyway to be I have no qualms with you not liking the movie ,but there is nothing as annoying as someone trying to justify making negative comments by saying they went to Africa.I am African and have seen you guys come over it is not to interact with Africans or help,it is just to be sanctimonious and be able to make racist comment and justify it by saying I have been to Africa, p.s the comment about everything being rt in Denzels world because Julia Roberts like him was a joke right (Reply to this) |
on Dec 17 2007 04:34 AM OK You proved it! You don't have to be a racist to be an idiot. Happy now? (Reply to this) |
on Dec 17 2007 02:33 PM no she is now a racist matanuki. You are ignorant (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 17 2007 06:10 PM Her biggest beef seems to be 'how do you give a negative review to this without sounding racist?' Like this: "While its heart is in the right place, it smells like Oscar bait: it's built on a topic nobody can hang a bad word on, filled with plenty of star power, and a melodramatic seriousness hangs over the whole affair. But, as any debater knows, simply shouting louder than the other person does not win the argument, and simply hitting people over the head with an important message does not necessarily make a good movie. In the director's seat, Washington handles the whole affair with a lack of subtlety, as overacting and emoting to the back row take precedence over nuanced, compelling performances that might better resonate with audiences. ...And while I understand that racism and bigotry towards blacks was far more prevalent in that day and age, it seems unfair to write off all of the white characters as tobacco-spittin' ign'nant know-nothin' slack-jawed rednecks or stuffy, snobbish Ivy-Leaguers." See? That sounds a lot better than "Why does Denzel Washington hate white people? Why does anyone want to see another movie about how bad things used to be?" And the more you say "look, I'm not racist/homophobe/etc., here's my credentials", the more negative attention you draw to yourself for it. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 18 2007 05:29 AM Uh huh, Ragalar. Whatever you say. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 18 2007 07:19 AM In reply to this comment (#1354048) I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. I am an 8th grade teacher and would like to take 150 7th and 8th graders to this movie after the holidays. Since you have seen the premier, could you tell me why is it getting the PG-13 rating? (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 18 2007 07:30 AM In reply to this comment (#1370472) Let me clarify. I agree with debster 401's comments not the obviously "non-racist" reviewer of this movie. If anyone could give me an opinion about taking 12-14 year-old kids to see this from a history and debate standpoint I would be grateful. Thanks... (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 20 2007 12:52 PM When I was first forwarded excerpts of your review, I refused to fully respond before reading the review in its entirety and gave you the benefit of the doubt in hopes that your statements were taken out of context. I didn%u2019t want to take you to task for what seemed like some of the most idiotic, ignorant, ill-informed statements made in a review concerning a historical adaptation in the past 10 years. So I patiently waited for my e-mail box to be filled with a link to the full review. After taking the time to read your %u201Ccritiques%u201D, I%u2019ve realized the person who sent me the excerpts was actually a friend who was trying their best to protect you from the world knowing how much of an idiot you were. As I said in my original comment to the person whom sent me the excerpts, opinions are like ******* because everyone has one and I hope this reviewer%u2019s "know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all of my black neighbors and friends put together" *** doesn%u2019t deter anyone with any sense of AMERICAN HISTORY from seeing a true story that has taken way too long to be brought to light. I read the original article that inspired this film in the American Legacy magazine and it did a great job of translating the story to film in my humble NYU Film school graduate opinion. As for your assertion that someone who was a poetic wordsmith, instrumental in bringing fare working conditions for his fellow men and women through unionizing, in-turn couldn%u2019t possibly have the time to mold the minds of the young men and women of Wiley College as their professor and debate coach which then lead to them beating what by most to this day is thought to be the brightest minds in our country, you my dear are a lost cause and there is no need for anyone to try and bring you to the light. P.S. and I hope with all my heart that your *** is black when you start this review out using the word Negros. ~GVG (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 20 2007 12:53 PM When I was first forwarded excerpts of your review, I refused to fully respond before reading the review in its entirety and gave you the benefit of the doubt in hopes that your statements were taken out of context. I didn%u2019t want to take you to task for what seemed like some of the most idiotic, ignorant, ill-informed statements made in a review concerning a historical adaptation in the past 10 years. So I patiently waited for my e-mail box to be filled with a link to the full review. After taking the time to read your %u201Ccritiques%u201D, I%u2019ve realized the person who sent me the excerpts was actually a friend who was trying their best to protect you from the world knowing how much of an idiot you were. As I said in my original comment to the person whom sent me the excerpts, opinions are like ******* because everyone has one and I hope this reviewer%u2019s "know more about African culture from first-hand, feet on the ground experience then all of my black neighbors and friends put together" *** doesn%u2019t deter anyone with any sense of AMERICAN HISTORY from seeing a true story that has taken way too long to be brought to light. I read the original article that inspired this film in the American Legacy magazine and it did a great job of translating the story to film in my humble NYU Film school graduate opinion. As for your assertion that someone who was a poetic wordsmith, instrumental in bringing fare working conditions for his fellow men and women through unionizing, in-turn couldn%u2019t possibly have the time to mold the minds of the young men and women of Wiley College as their professor and debate coach which then lead to them beating what by most to this day is thought to be the brightest minds in our country, you my dear are a lost cause and there is no need for anyone to try and bring you to the light. P.S. and I hope with all my heart that your *** is black when you start this review out using the word Negros. ~GVG (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 20 2007 01:12 PM TO BLANK FRANK, I LOVE YOUR COMMENT! VERY WELL SAID. I'm not sure if that was a quote from your review or a quote taken from someone else%u2019s review of the film, but even though I don't agree with it, that stands as a perfect example of a well stated point. If the quote is from another reviewer, I%u2019d appreciate it if you could inform me of its origin. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 22 2007 11:38 PM (Reply to this) |
on Dec 24 2007 05:55 AM The fact that you went so far out of your way to say you're not a racist makes this review completely biased. White people were caricatures? The movie showed BOTH races in their ignorant and educated stages. Your review is self righteous and irresponsible. As you can see with how many comments you got against your viewpoint you obviously missed the point of the film. It's reviews like this that make critics look bad. This is a rant, not a review. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 25 2007 12:40 AM remarkably self-deluding (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 25 2007 04:10 AM I agree with mlbuie. Wiley College is not in Africa. Traveling to Africa (with or without an air conditioned bus) does not make you uniquely qualified to critique movies that deal with the Black experience IN AMERICA. If you are so concerned about not appearing racist, why not save the air fare and spend some time learning something about the lives of African-AMERICANS who live in this country. And if you don't like the movie, then just say so. I mean, honestly. Going out of your way to not appear racist only makes you appear even more racist. If you are that worried about what people think of you, them maybe you shouldn't be a critic. (Reply to this) |
|
on Dec 25 2007 07:50 AM (Reply to this) |
| You must be registered to post comments. Login or Register. |
Related Links
Related Articles
- RT on DVD: Indiana Jones Box Set, Narnia in Blu-ray, and a Porn Virus Epidemic? (13)
- Box Office Guru Preview: Aliens and Debaters Join End-of-Year Lineup (7)
- Critical Consensus: Water Horse is Refreshing, Debaters is Great, Juno is Certifed Fresh (19)
- Atonement Leads Golden Globe Nominations (61)
- Trailer Bulletin: The Great Debaters (9)
Most Discussed
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records (159)
- Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes (129)
- Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle? (97)
- Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers (74)
- Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors (52)
- Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog (50)
- Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies (32)
- Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more! (31)
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Angels & Demons, Funny People, and Superman (8)
- Ho, ho, ho! It's RT's Great Big Gift Guide! (0)
Latest News
- Total Recall: John Travolta's Best Movies (32)
- RT on DVD & Blu-Ray: Angels & Demons, Funny People, and Superman (8)
- Box Office Guru Wrapup: New Moon Shatters Records (159)
- Weekly Ketchup: Idris Elba cast in Thor, more Spider-Man 4 rumors (52)
- Ho, ho, ho! It's RT's Great Big Gift Guide! (0)
- Friday Harvest: New Moon, Avatar, and more! (31)
- Critics Consensus: New Moon Wanes (129)
- Total Recall: Star-Crossed Lovers (74)
- Tomatometer Watch: Will Twilight's New Moon Dazzle? (97)
- Five Favorite Films with Werner Herzog (50)
Latest Interviews
- Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview (8)
- Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary (19)
- James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview (6)
- John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview (15)
- Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus (16)
- Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview (8)
- Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film (28)
- Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel (28)
- Duncan Jones talks Moon, Sam Rockwell, and Mute (14)
- Emma Stone talks Zombieland - RT Interview (41)
Latest Features
- Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary (19)
- Five Favourite Films with Ang Lee (34)
- 10 Movies That Changed The (End Of The) World (32)
- Ho-ho-horror! 10 Scary Christmas Movies (39)
- 12 Facts About 2012 (135)
- Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus (16)
- Five Favourite Films with 24's Carlos Bernard (33)
- Six Horrible Part Sixes (32)
- Christopher Smith's Favourite Cult Horror Films (14)
- Gavin Hood Talks Wolverine; Possible Sequel (28)
IGN RSS Feeds