The Great Debaters (2007)
Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Joe Roth, Todd Black, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein.
Actors : Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, Denzel Whitaker.
The Great Debaters, I think this movie is a perfect one which definitely relates to our course. When I first searched for this movie, it was interesting that Oprah Winfrey produced. What I want to say before I review the story is that the most important word from this movie is revolution which makes African Americans have hopes. The basic background of this movie is from 1930s and most plots are depicted from black Wiley College, Texas. What we can see is how African Americans strived for their rights and education against the white people society in the United States. So, debate can be said as one of the revolutions that African Americans could do at that period. The professor Tolson looks a strict, brave, and well-educated person who looks for a better opportunity. What he does is not only about teaching his students. He tries to show his argument and how black people should go forward throughout his teaching. He often reminds students of the reason why black people should not afraid in front of white people and judges. So, he is a mentor to Henry Lowe, Farmer Jr, Samantha Booke. Henry Lowe is the leader of the debate team and somehow shown as a troublemaker, with his poor situation in life. But Tolson notices that Lowe has a great ability that can play an important role in fighting against the racism and white society. The problem that Henry has is his negative attitude toward others. When he sees that a black person is killed by hanging in a tree with no reason, his emotion explodes. But he overcomes the problem by wining every debate as time goes by. At the end of the story, he becomes the ultimate leader of final debate in Harvard University that makes him realize his belief to other people. Samantha Booke is an interesting character depicted as a very brave...