THE GREAT DEBATERS

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

THE GREAT DEBATERS#1

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:36pm

I just finished watching it and I could not stand it. It was overwrought, boring, and TV-movie-of-the-week-esque.


Anyone else agree/disagree? It's sad that after such a stunning directorial debut with Anwone Fisher, Washington follows it up with this uninventive, boring, and slow melodrama.

[adamgreer]

re: THE GREAT DEBATERS#2

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:38pm

I vehemently disliked it. Felt like a Lifetime original movie. Poorly written, poorly acted.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

re: THE GREAT DEBATERS#2

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:40pm

Agreed. It was just insanely boring and ridiculous. I would have enjoyed it more if it wasn't so pretentious. It LOOKED like and tired to be a masterpiece and an epic. It was NOT. By any standards.


And Forest Whitaker was terribly miscast...and painfully bad.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

re: THE GREAT DEBATERS#3

Posted: 6/7/08 at 4:47pm

The film's one saving grace was Jurnee Smollett, who at the very least, deserved a Golden Globe nomination. She was the only thing in the film that was worthy of any sort of four-star rating.

[BroadwayEnthusiast2]

re: THE GREAT DEBATERS#4

Posted: 6/7/08 at 5:03pm

I completely agree with those last two assessments, rOcKs.

"I mean, sitting side by side with another man watching Patti LuPone play Rose in GYPSY on Broadway is essentially the equivalent of having hardcore sex." -Wanna Be A Foster. "Say 'Goody.' Say 'Bubbi.'" ... "That's it. Exactly as if it were 'Goody.' Now I know you're gonna sing 'Goody' this time, but nevertheless..."

[lildogs]

re: THE GREAT DEBATERS#5

Posted: 7/18/08 at 2:05pm

I thought it was absolutely terrific.

Strong performances from all around, engaging, powerfully moving, a shade predictable, but I think that goes along with these kinds of movies...ie...OF COURSE The Hoosiers win, you know what I mean?

I think it's hindered by its clunky title, but I thought it was one of the best films of the year.