The Great Debaters (2007)

Greetings again from the darkness. No question this is a remarkable story that deserves to be told. Mega-star Denzel Washington teams up with Queen of the Universe, Oprah Winfrey, to bring us a fictionalized account of a very true and inspiring story. Sure, it has a touch of "Remember the Titans" and just about every other feel good underdog sports story, but what makes this one a bit different is that it is based on words and education, not athletic ability.

Based in the Jim Crow south, Melvin Tolson drives his team of debaters to heights never before reached by a black college debate team. The man had his flaws (a suspected communist, socialist and successful union organizer) there is no questioning his ability to inspire his team to reach down and find the passion to compete against far more established teams (white and black). The three keys to his team were Henry Lowe (played well by Nate Parker), Samantha Booke (former child actress Jurnee Smollett) and 14 yr old James Farmer, Jr. (played with zeal by Denzel Whitaker). This team fights and struggles and pulls together just like any other championship team. Again, the difference is that their battles are done with the mind ... which is remarkable given the times.

Denzel tackles the role of Tolson and also directs his second feature ("Antone Fisher"). A better actor than director, he still does an adequate job of capturing the feel of the times ... though there is no shortage of clichés and stereotypes. John Heard plays the "cracker" Sheriff just looking for any way to keep the black man down. Forest Whitaker is again outstanding, this time as Dr. James Farmer, Sr., whose brilliant mind and moral standards set the tone for his prodigy son.

The screenplay by Robert Eisele could have benefited by losing the sappy and predictable love story between Lowe and Booke, and the actual debates don't provide near the suspense and tension that the "real life" segments do, but he does capture the added stress of being an educated black in the 1930's.

The enduring message from this group of amazing students is that education is the road to freedom. That message is just as strong today as it was 70 years ago and it is a message that does not discriminate based on color.