On Screen / Movies

'Debaters' thoroughly positive

By Linda Cook | Thursday, January 03, 2008 | () comments

Sometimes a movie is so literate, so positive and reveals such an intriguing piece of history that it’s like a two-hour classroom session.

Such a film is the wonderful “The Great Debaters,” directed lovingly by Denzel Washington, who also stars as Melvin Tolson, a real-life teacher and poet. That’s not to say the movie isn’t entertaining. It most certainly is. But it’s also a learning experience. (You might want to take your older kids and just not tell them about that “learning” part.)

The show is set in the 1930s at Wiley College in Texas, where racial unrest is seething. Tolson is an English professor who puts together a debate team. At night, unbeknownst to his wife, he is a social activist with a cause that becomes more and more dangerous.

Watching Tolson select his team members is great good fun. He knows he has a decent team and is pleased when they actually win a competition. But they go on to win debates at some of the most prestigious black colleges in the United States, and Tolson eventually realizes they might become one of the first black teams to debate a team from a white university.

On the team is the hard-living Henry Lowe (Nate Parker), who is street-smart and well-read. He has eyes for Samantha Brooke (Jurnee Smollett), whose ambition is to become a lawyer. Then there’s 14-year-old James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker), who is the son of another Wiley College professor. The fourth team member is the somewhat shy Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams).

Each of the characters is presented as a multifaceted individual with flaws as well as strengths. The bad guy, well, there really is no bad guy because the villain here is racism and the humiliation and shame the characters must endure simply to survive. And each character reacts in a different way to threats of racism and to a shocking scene the team encounters on the way to a debate.

I love this movie’s sense of history, which is topped only by its sense of victory. The old-time feel of the furniture, clothing, classrooms and vehicles gives the film an authentic atmosphere.

This is a slice of history that reflects both the same and the pride of America. And is it worth seeing? Well, there’s no debate about that. It’s worth your time, money and reflection afterward.

movieguide

“The Great Debaters”

**** (out of four)

Running time: Two hours

Rated: PG-13 for foul language and violence

Stars: Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker, Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Jermaine Williams and John Heard

Director: Denzel Washington

Screenwriter: Robert Eisele