Although there are various reasons behind the lyric "It's the most wonderful time of the year," one of the best for my mind but not necessarily my waistline is the making of end of the year, holiday cookies. They might not be the most nutritious thing to consume, but they're undeniably tasty, especially if one sticks to the recipe and doesn't try getting too fancy with anything.
Such is the case with "The Great Debaters," an end of the year, cinematic delight that may be pure formula, but is done so well it's near irresistible. Based on true life events, it tells the tale of a small black college in 1930s era Texas that made a name for itself with its debate team to the point that they got to take on the reigning champs -- that being none other than Harvard University -- thanks to the work of both the students and their coach who pushed them into greatness.
It's a great story, filled with hope, dreams, the encountering and handling of various obstacles, and the always uplifting coming together as a team to overcome internal doubts and external roadblocks. Yet, if there's one drawback to the film, it's the fact that we've seen this sort of tale countless times before. While the minute details might be different, the story arc and all that's built along it certainly seem familiar, predictable, and maybe even a bit dog-eared from having been experienced so many times before.
That, however, is about the only fault one can find in this otherwise highly engaging, entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking, and even sometimes emotionally moving and touching offering that proves following a recipe isn't a bad thing, especially if it's handled just right.
Denzel Washington, getting behind the camera for just the second time in his career (following "Antwone Fisher") certainly proves he's more than capable of doing just that. While he's always as good as ever in front of the camera playing that inspirational coach, professor and political radical, he again shows that he's absorbed more than enough directorial techniques, tips, and tricks of the trade along the way that he need not worry once he decides to retire his SAG card for good.
Just as those aforementioned holiday cookies benefit from their savory bits, this film's cinematic ingredients only make it that much more tasty. Beyond the rock solid script by Robert Eisele and Washington's presence in front of and beyond the camera, there's also the talented Forrest Whitaker in a supporting role as a local scholar who has his boy's best interests in mind, but knows when it's best to lay low and take the world's ugly punches.
Yet, for all the star wattage he and Denzel bring to the screen, the performers who shine most brightly are those of a younger generation. Namely, that's Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett and Denzel Whitaker as the main students who make up the debate team. All are terrific alone and collectively, and they bring out much of the story's heart and soul as black kids with big dreams living in a part of the country still holding onto a Jim Crow mindset.
While the film does touch on such racism -- including the more unsavory aspects such as lynchings -- it does so without getting preachy or righteous about it, and instead allows the related outrage and indignation to flow forth through the young characters and particularly their debate dialogue.
In fact, while the thought of listening to any debate, regardless of the subject matter, might make some viewers' eyes roll back into their heads in the belief that it will be tedious or boring, the reaction is likely to be just the opposite of that here. Working with Eisele's terrific dialogue, the kids take the material and run with it, giving their speeches all of the proper nuances (awkward at first, more seasoned and passionate as they go, etc.) to make such scenes sizzle, and certainly be one of the many highlights to be had with this pic.
With Oprah Winfrey being one of the film's producers and thus supporters, I guess the uplifting aura should be a foregone conclusion. Even so, parents, teachers and anyone looking for a better world of tomorrow should encourage young viewers to see this film and realize there's something more and certainly better to idolize than rap singers, egotistical athletes and the like.
Special kudos certainly go to Denzel Washington for mixing it altogether into what may ultimately be a familiar cinematic offering, but one that certainly goes down easy and in a highly tasty fashion. "The Great Debaters" rates as a 7 out of 10.
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