Movie Review: The Great Debators

Directed by Denzel Washington, this is one of the best flicks on racism. It bombed at the BO and probably you will understand why when you watch it.

Set in the Texas city of 1935 this movie revolves around the efforts of debate coach Melvin B. Tolson played by Denzel Washington and his troop of 4 students who he trains to debate and their undefeated debating season which finally gets them a chance to debate National champions Harvard!!

It is not like the healthy competition between two equal schools but also a fight of the black Wiley college to be heard and to be ranked as equals with the White schools. The movie also shows or rather blends well the underlying insults and slight African Americans endured during the Great Depression. The lynching scene where the 4 students are exposed to the naked display of the mob is both repulsive and saddening.

This movie is set against the U.S. fraught with racism, 12 years before India’s

independence in a time where the entire world was crying out for freedom

The characters portrayal is amazing with an equally excellent direction. All the characters are very rounded. The jealousy that the 14 yr old James farmer Jr.( Denzel Whitaker) feels when Samantha dates the independent and passionate Henry (Nate Parker) (even though Samantha is probably older than him

and is not a match for Samantha), the shame in James’s family’s eyes which his father sees on being falsely framed, Henry’s outburst after the lynching scene are some of the moments in the scene which elevates the audience to a place where he/she is one with the characters.

Personally speaking, I loved Samantha Brooke's (Jurnee_Smollett) character. She is the first female to have made in to the debating team, she is bold and hot headed and the fumes she let out when Henry deceives her or when James talk about their relationship is both hilarious and awe inspiring (the acting and the portrayal).

The movie has some of the best speeches and dialogues considering that the entire movie centers on the theme of debating (main plot) and fight against racism (sub plot). Denzel Washington handles himself pretty well both behind and in front of the camera (this is his first directorial venture)

"Who is your opponent?

He does not exist.

Why does he not exist?

Because he is a mere dissenting voice of the truth I speak."

This is the classic mantra which Prof Telson inculcates in his student. He tells them “I am here to free your mind” and frees their mind he does!

The last rebuttal by Mr. Farmer is both unnerving and overwhelming at the same time. Anybody who has read little about the social oppressions of that time and love words will fall for the movie