Concussion

Will Smith’s fantastic performance deserves a better movie.

Based on the true story, Will Smith stars as Dr. Bennet Omalu – a highly skilled pathologist in Pittsburgh who works for the county coroner. When Mike Webster, a former member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and a player who is in the football Hall of Fame, dies at a young age, Dr. Omalu is curious and puzzled how such a man could be in such bad physical and mental shape.

Upon further investigation, during the autopsy, Dr. Omalu discovers Webster suffered from many concussions which choked his brain. Fearing for the safety of others who play football, Dr. Omalu works to publicize his findings, only to run into massive opposition from those who have an interest in keeping him quiet.

For all of the hints at some danger faced by Omalu and powerful forces trying to quiet his voice, writer/director Peter Landesman doesn’t make the compelling case that he was in any real danger.

Sure, everyone involved wanted to have their cake and eat it, too by making the NFL into a boogeyman, but not making it clear enough to invite a lawsuit (they have lots of lawyers who would like to sue), but the audience never gets clear proof incidents are tied to any one specific bully. It’s too cloudy to outright blame anyone for the pressure Omalu and his supporters face, which takes away from the tension you are supposed to feel.

Smith is great. He has fantastic power to show you the good doctor’s earnestness, the power of his convictions, his willingness to embrace and spread the truth, and the intensity and peaceful manner he alternately brings at the right times.

Sadly, Landesman weighs down Concussion with a completely unnecessary love story. Gugu Mbatha-Raw is a very talented actress who should be given more to do than make goo goo eyes at Smith. All of the personal stuff should be cut, since it isn’t as compelling as the science. Because of the fluff, the movie doesn’t crescendo to an ending. It ends flatly.

In the end, you can’t deny the power of the Concussion. I grew up as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan. The clips played at the beginning of Concussion are of the superstars I idolized as a kid, emulated in the backyard and remember watching these moments unfold as if I watched them yesterday. I have nothing but fond memories of Lynn Swann, Mike Webster, Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris and the others shown. Yet, I also understand the pain they face, and it makes you watch football a bit differently now.

Concussion is rated PG-13 for thematic material including some disturbing images, and language.