MOVIE: Mandela

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom:  the man overwhelmed both the screenwriter and the director.  The movie, especially the first half, is a series of sketches of Nelson Mandela’s life history, almost a Cliff Notes presentation.  I think most people viewing this film already know some of Mandela’s history and many of you reading this review know a great deal.  However, if your knowledge of South Africa’s history is limited, this highlight reel will not be very educational.  Mr. Mandela’s life is extraordinary and this film attempts to tell the entire story.  Although it runs for 152 minutes, it is not enough time to go from Mandela’s tribal childhood to the presidency of his country.  Further, by trying to tell the whole story, the film feels even longer than its almost 2-1/2 hour running time.  The contrast with a film such as Invictus, which told just part of Mandela’s story, is striking.  The movie style is reminiscent of Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi.  Nevertheless, there are some positive things to say about the film, especially with respect to Idris Elba’s performance as Nelson Mandela and the even stronger performance by Naomie Harris as Winnie.   One subject this film does quite well is to explain why Winnie became so bitter in contrast to Mandela’s ability to forgive while never forgetting.  Both Elba and Harris may receive Oscar nominations for their strong performances - the actors did their part.  Another interesting element to the film and part of its problem was the decision by its director, Justin Chadwick, to open the film with tribal childhood scenes and to include adult tribal vignettes.  Based upon Mandela’s actions, the tribal presentation may say more about the two Englishmen,  Director Chadwick and Screenwriter William Nicholson, than the man they are presenting.  This opening five minute sequence is beautiful to see but it sends the wrong message.  The source material for the movie is Mandela’s memoir and based on my limited knowledge of him, I think the film is factually accurate.  But a little lightness would have helped as would have a greater emphasis on the person rather than the events.