Manuel here to talk about Will Smith's newest film, Concussion, which released its first trailer. The film follows Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith) who discovered CTE (Chronic traumatic encephalopathy) in two football players who later committed suicides. Based on the GQ article "Game Brain" by Jeanne Marie Laskas, the film is about Dr. Omalu's attempts at getting the NFL to take his findings seriously; that is, that the concussions suffered by football players may lead to chronic degenerative brain diseases.
You can imagine how that went in real life and how that'll play out in the film itself. The film was written and directed by Peter Landesman (who wrote and directed Parkland). Following our patented trailer evaluation system, let's take a look at Concussion:
“When I was a boy. Heaven was here. And America was here.”
Yes
I’m happy the trailer instantly makes it clear the way American football functions as a metaphor for the United States. Ballsy move for the type of story that follows. But more importantly: Gugu (!!) Or, rather, the back of Gugu's head!
"You turned on the lights and gave their biggest bogeyman a name."
Maybe So
I’m getting The Insider vibes (maybe it’s those blue-hued scenes?). A film like this lives and dies on the strength of the script and direction. Can Landesman make this the type of vintage Mann film it could be?
Maybe So
Will the film give Gugu anything to do? I mean, other than allow me to cast her in an imaginary Silkwood remake?
Yes
The film boasts quite the actorly roster: in addition to Luke Wilson, the film features Alec Baldwin, Eddie Marsan, Albert Brooks, Paul Reiser, David Morse and Mike O'Malley in key roles. (But then, that didn't really work very well for Landesman in Parkland now did it?)
"If you don't speak for them, who will?"
Maybe So
I fear we’re gonna get Gugu in full “supportive” (and not just supporting) mode here.
Maybe So
This will surely hit a nerve in terms of sports coverage; will it (and can it) go beyond a by-the-numbers whistleblower-type genre film? At least some shots pop out. The film was shot by Salvatore Totino who also lensed the upcoming Everest. Quite the double feature!
Yes
Will Smith back in a demanding role; we don’t even see his signature smirk anywhere! Though I can't tell whether that'll work in his service, for I do so enjoy him in full smirk mode (and yes, I did catch Focus and it wasn't half-bad).
No
Is it me or is that “Tell the truth!” bit at the end a tad melodramatic? Perhaps it plays better in context?
As you can tell, I’m clearly more concerned with Gugu than with anything else in this trailer which is serviceable, but leaves me a tad cold. I’m a Maybe right now though stellar reviews will obviously get me to check it out.
Are you also fixated on Gugu or excited for a return to form in Smith?