Concussion (2015) [Blu-ray]
Biography | Drama | Sport

Tagline: Nothing hits harder than the truth.

Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Storyline: Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world. Written by Sony Pictures Entertainment

Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Martin Liebman, March 30, 2016 God did not intend for us to play football.

Most living things are fragile. Some are more resilient than others, and while man may fall somewhere in the middle of the most hearty-hardly hearty organism scale (completely unscientific placement), his brain power -- reason, logic, memory, discovery -- have allowed him to cheat the system, to learn how to become stronger, more immune, and generally safer from the most common pitfalls to be found out there in the wild. Combine that with his unique dexterity and he can build shelter, grow food, and take natural and manmade medicines. He's learned how to eat right, take care of his body, and live longer and stronger than ever before. Indeed, the human brain -- and the entire human body, for that matter -- is a marvelous thing, the thing that has allowed man to rise in the ranks to the top of the food chain and make his world a better place. Yet that human brain remains a very fragile thing. For all its complex wonders, there's not a lot of cushioning around it. A blow to the head can be fatal, or it can cause irreversible trauma. Protecting the head is paramount in nearly every activity that involves some form of risk, like riding a skateboard or a motorcycle, working in construction, or playing sports, perhaps the most satisfying, yet potentially dangerous, of "friendly" human endeavors and competition. That want, that almost innate need, to take risks for the sake of the goal seems a uniquely human characteristic, much like all of the aforementioned gifts that have seen mankind improve his place in the world over the years. Football has long recognized the need to protect the head, and the technology that does so has greatly improved over the years, from leather pads to the custom fitting gear of today that are the safest they've ever been. But even that's not enough. Concussion tells the story of a doctor, a man completely distanced from the passion, propaganda, and power that dominates in the National Football League, who challenged the status quo that head injuries were serious business and that the game itself was driving many of its players into an early grave.

When Mike Webster (David Morse), an ex-Pittsburgh Steeler and NFL Hall-of-Famer, dies following a long bout of mental health issues, Forensic Pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), a man who identifies himself as someone who specializes in "the science of death," receives the call to perform the autopsy. With the public spotlight shining brightly on the death -- Webster was a popular player and key cog during the Steelers' Super Bowl dynasty in the 1970s -- the autopsy is expected to be little more than a formality. But Omalu is puzzled by his findings. Rather than "a mess" of a brain Omalu was expecting based on the symptoms Webster showed prior to his death, it instead appears normal. No man in recorded history, Omalu says, has gone so mad, at such a young age, without serious and readily evident brain trauma. He begins to investigate deeper and, against the advice of his colleagues, works on exposing the dangers of repeated concussions suffered by football players, beginning in youth football and all the way through a professional career, pitting him against the NFL itself in the process.

Concussion is at once difficult to watch and impossible to resist. The movie deals with uncomfortable and challenging health-related realities and political gamesmanship that's played with the lives of others. The movie pits an individual's health against the ultimate test of big business, an organization in the National Football League that "owns a day of the week" and reportedly lied about its health data, an allegation brought to light only days prior to this review's publication. Some league officials and owners still do not accept the link between football and severe head trauma. Concussion makes a compelling case for the link. The film effortlessly blends complex scientific details, the realities former players face, the politics of health and sport, and some entertainment value, though certainly the movie is more a dramatic facilitator meant to share information than it is a more traditional "fun" movie. If nothing else, Concussion proves very effective at what it does, playing as essentially a semi-fictionalized exposé that never feels like it's holding back as it makes a strong, and heartbreaking, case against the sport and the dangers it poses to its players.

Concussion often uses juxtaposing images and sounds to enhance the story. For instance, Justin Strzelczyk's breakdown plays against fans cheering on the very game, the very same type of hits, that have driven him mad. The movie also accentuates a moment of sensuality when a kiss is seen in close-up, perhaps the most gentle "collision" one can have to the head, certainly in stark contrast to the smash mouth hits that are seen throughout the movie. Director Peter Landesman masters the movie's needs, creating a foundational knowledge that's detailed but accessible and refusing to shy away from the realities of repeated head injury and, most notably, how they effect several former players seen in the movie. Will Smith is likewise brilliant in a mature, screen-commanding role. The accent is a little disconcerting at first but he effortlessly and affably falls into his idiosyncratic character and conveys plenty personality, authority, and concern for others in the part. Smith shows a tangible grasp of the work his character practices but also the emotional center that drives him to challenge the status quo. He's supported by several exceptional performances, notably from David Morse in an unforgettable role as ex-Steelers Center Mike Webster and Albert Brooks as famed Pittsburgh Forensic Pathologist Dr. Cyril Wecht.

Concussion brings a serious discussion about sports and safety to the forefront. The medicine surrounding concussions is improving. The NFL is re-examining its concussion protocols. Other sports are taking the issue seriously. One can only wonder, though, whether it's all enough considering that athletes are getting faster and stronger by the season; do those incremental improvements in athletic ability offset incremental improvements in player safety? This is not an easy film to watch. What happens to the former players is harrowing, and just as disturbing is the larger world around the NFL that pushes back against Dr. Omalu's findings. The movie doesn't enjoy much of a traditional "entertainment" value but it's a very well done dramatized exposé and a must-see. Sony's Blu-ray release of Concussion features superb video and audio. A few good extras are included. Highly recommended.

[CSW] -3.4- Dr. Bennet Omalu: "Repetitive head trauma chokes the brain, and turns a man into something else." And statistically, about 28% of NFL players will contract chronic traumatic encephalopathy from repetitive head trauma. This disease, which is incurable and basically untreatable was first diagnosed by forensic pathologist Dr Bennet Omalu during an autopsy of Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Steelers center, Iron Mike Webster, who was found dead in his pickup at the age of 50. This film is a biopic of Omalu, with emphasis on his discovery and his campaign to bring it to the attention of the NFL hierarchy and persuade them to take action. Acting is a strong suit in the film, with a virtuoso performance by Will Smith as Dr Omalu, Nigerian accent and all. But Smith is also supported well by Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who plays his love interest/wife; Alec Baldwin, who plays a sports neurologist and ally of Omalu; and Albert Brooks, who plays his superior and mentor. This film is a fine effort to depict the dangers of head trauma/concussion in football and I recommend it highly!
[V4.5-A4.5] MPEG-4 AVC - No D-Box.


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