Concussion (2015)

Things have definitely changed as far as what is allowed in the National Football League and what is not allowed today as compared to the time when I played football as an young adolescent. When we were out in the football field, it was like we were being trained to be battering rams not knowing the long terms effects that it would have on us. That is why I decided to check out the 2015 film Concussion which was written and directed by Peter Landesman (Parkland). The film stars Will Smith (Bad Boys For Life) as Dr. Bennet Omalu, an accomplished pathologist who discovered a serious condition known as CTE when football players began killing themselves. This is the film about his journey and the long hard road he took to change the culture of football in America. The film also stars Alec Baldwin (Fun With Dick And Jane) as Dr. Julian Bailes, Albert Brooks (Drive) as Dr. Cyril Wecht, Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Beyond The Lights) as Prema Mutiso, David Morse (The Green Mile) as Mike Webster, Arliss Howard (Full Metal Jacket) as Dr. Joseph Maroon, Mike O'Malley (Sully) as Daniel, Eddie Marsan (Vice) as Dr. Steve DeKosky, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Suicide Squad) as Dave Duerson, Luke Wilson (Zombieland: Double Tap) as Roger Goodell, Paul Reiser (Horse Girl) as Dr. Elliot Pellman, and Richard T. Jones (Vantage Point) as Andre Waters. 

The lesson to be learned from this film is that you never mess with science because science proves whether things are wrong or right. There is never usually a question of doubt and the NFL dropped the ball big time when it came to the discovery of CTE as they tried to bury this doctor who discovered it. It's quite shocking to the extent to make sure this guy was never heard or taken serious. He was literally public enemy one who just wanted the NFL to take precautions which they obviously would years later after the senate was on their case. The story was obviously one we have seen before in cinema when the little man takes on the giant corporation and he somehow defeats him like the story of David vs Goliath. It's a classic tale that you could literally compare so many stories to, but this one is heavy because head trauma is a scary thing. I definitely enjoyed Will Smith's acting in this film as he was the star of the show, but I have admit that I did not that was David Morse playing Mike Webster in the film. I did not recognize him at all and that is credit to the make up department. This is definitely a film to check out if you are a fan of films that are based on true stories, a fan of science, and a fan of the NFL which never ceases to amaze me. One thing that I will criticize is that I did not like Luke Wilson as the choice for Roger Goodell. Other than that, I enjoyed it and it's free right now on Tubi so chek it out. I am going to give the film an A- for a final grade.