Concussion
Director: Peter Landesman
Talent: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks, David Morse
Release Date: 12th February 2016
The NFL’s denial and covering up of the long-term effects of repeated head injuries sustained while playing American football is a sporting scandal almost beyond compare. Of course, it is at the same time a denial of a broader, cultural sort, and one which continues to this day. Concussion is a dramatisation of the eruption of controversy caused by Pittsburgh pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith) who, beginning in 2002, tied the damaged brains of several deceased ex-pros to the injuries they sustained on the field as part of normal play.
As real-life intrigue goes, this is an extremely juicy and disturbing story. As drama however, it’s tepid, kid gloves stuff, and not aided by an uncomfortable performance from Smith in the lead role. If remembered at all, like 2001’s Ali, it will go down as another failed prestige picture of his, but unlike Ali, this one is distinguished by the punches it pulls rather than those it throws.
Words: Oisín Murphy-Hall
