"The Great Debaters" Movie Review

"The Great Debaters," directed by Denzel Washington, starring Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, and Denzel Whitaker is based on a true story about the triumphs of a Texan debate team whose leader is Mr. Tolsen (Washington.) The movie released in December of 2007 and grossed about $30,000,000 in box offices. The movie was distributed by The Weinstein Company (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.) I had recently saw this move in class, and I found it to be quite enjoyable.

"The Great Debaters" takes place in 1930's Marshall, Texas, during the colored segregation era. At Wiley College, (a college specified for colored men and women only,) Mr. Tolsen (Washington)- a teacher at the college, inspires various youth to form a debate team for the school. At this, many men joined to form the group, and succeeded doing so. Meanwhile, a young woman named Samantha Booke (Smollett,) traveled to the city to be a part of the debate team. After several eliminations of members, 3 students were left overall, therefore creating the debate team. The resulting members; James L. Farmer Jr., Henry Lowe, and Samantha Booke, led the debate team into undefeated victory among debates between rival universities until the Wiley College team went on to challenge the Harvard University Debate team, and as the dust settles, the Wiley team reigns supreme.

The main characters include Mr. Tolsen, James L. Farmer Jr., Samantha Booke, and Henry Lowe. They each play an important part in the debate team, as well as the movie. James L. Farmer Jr. is the information gatherer and the researcher, he searches for information that will aid the team's argument on whatever subject is being debated. Along with this, James has a crush on Samantha, until his romantic feelings for her are disrupted when James finds Henry and Samantha having sexual relations. Samantha Booke is the second debater in command, and has feelings for Henry Lowe. As for Henry, he is the oldest, therefore the main debater. With his strong debating voice, he leads the team to victory, (not including the debate between Wiley College and Harvard University.) Lastly, there is Mr. Tolsen. Being the teacher/leader of the debate team, he uses unusual discipline methods to teach the team how to be.

Personally, I would recommend "The Great Debaters" to those who love Dramatic/Victorious movies that include hardships. As far as I'm concerned, I would see this movie again, however, to me it is not worthy of watching over and over again.

PROS:
-Strong plot
-Good story
-Believable time era
CONS:
-Flat characters
-Confusing introduction
-Boring, to be honest