In his second effort as a director, Denzel Washington has now established himself as just as much a powerful force behind the camera as he is in front of it. His debut film, ANTWONE FISHER, was a surprisingly powerful film, and like that film, THE GREAT DEBATERS uses what seems like a conventional plot to actually tackle unconventional screen topics. Too often African-Americans are portrayed on TV and films as barely literate, but recent films like this one and AKEELAH AND THE BEE have brought an intelligent and inspiring portrait of African-Americans to audiences. But to pigeonhole these films as "black" stories would be undercutting their universal power, which deal with the universal power of education.
At Wiley College in Texas, poet and union organizer Melvin B. Tolson (Washington) runs the debate team with intense determination. Many students try out, but only four make the team. Tolson recruits Henry Lowe (Nate Parker, PRIDE), a well-read drifter, who has a weakness for women, booze and jazz. Samantha Booke (Jurnee Smollett, ROLL BOUNCE) transferred to Wiley specifically to try out for the team, making her the first female member. Hamilton Burgess (Jermaine Williams, FAT ALBERT) is the only returning member, who will take issue with Tolson's politics. James Farmer Jr. (Denzel Whitaker, TRAINING DAY) is only 14, which shows in his awkward interactions with the other students. His father, Dr. James Farmer Sr. (Forest Whitaker, THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND), is a well-respected teacher and preacher, who demands discipline from his son. As the team disposes of black schools one by one, they are invited to compete against white students, and eventually are asked to compete against national champions Harvard.
Based on a true story, some of the details of the historical record are changed for dramatic effect, but the principle is still there. In a time when lynching was common in the South, these black students accomplished an achievement at the highest levels of academia. While the film does make it easy for the Wiley students, always placing them on the "right" side of the argument, it's the ideas that resonant. The debates stand as a time capsule to the era and even allow for pointed arguments on the other side in context to the times. This isn't black students talking down ignorant racists, but other well-educated students, who just happen to be white.
Washington acted in the film only to help get it made, but his performance as a determined educator goes to the heart of the story. There's one speech about the history of slave masters keeping slaves ignorant to keep them in line that is gripping and important. His young co-stars all give fine performances, handling their big speeches with gravitas. At the heart of this film, education is viewed as the great equalizer. In an American climate where the dumbing down of every aspect of culture is pervasive, this is the kind of inspiring tale we need. We see inspirational sports films roll out every year, but often a good educational film can be infinitely more uplifting. Forget the big touchdown or the last minute shot, give me more movies where learning raises underdogs to great heights, because for most people it's more realistic than the fantasy of winning the Super Bowl.
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Rick DeMott
Animation World Network
Creator of Rick's Flicks Picks
