Invictus – The Old and the Young

In case you haven’t heard, the new movie Invictus tells the story of a young man, played by Matt Damon, who must prove to himself and those around him that he can still be alive after falling out of an airplane and into battle with some soldiers and sharks on an African beach. While many people have criticized the film for its violence, it also has one of the best opening sequences of all time, one that ends with a beautifully composed shot of a white-clad soldier ( Damon) walking up to an injured soldier ( Sandra Bullock). At first glance, it doesn’t seem like much, but when the pair get down on their knees and pray before a fire, the effect is powerful… As they continue their silent walk through the grassy plains of South Africa, the audience realizes just how important these soldiers really are to the country. It’s this honesty that elevates Invictus from another film with similar plotlines and characters to a film that requires viewers to invest in two separate characters: One is the protagonist, an extraordinary young man ( Damon) who barely lies awake during the night; the other is a man who would rather stay on the beach than risk being captured by enemy forces. Both are remarkable men, and if you’ve never seen a Matt Damon movie, you’re definitely missing something.

Invictus is one of those films that is unlike any other film or moviegoing experience you’ve ever had before. It takes a bold creative approach to telling the story of an adventure, and it also shows us the true strength of the human spirit by making us care about these characters (and the world in general). The strength of a character like Damon allows him to use the experience he has while filming Invictus, and to give us some of the most affecting and realistic scenes of modern cinema. The fact that the film was directed by none other than Clint Eastwood also makes it that much more special…

The message of Invictus is that those who are able to achieve something, do so with grace and courage, while those who allow their fears to paralyze them will ultimately be replaced by bitter old men. This is a film that everyone should see at least once in their lifetime, and that is saying something indeed. If you find it difficult to find a film that is truly artistic in scope, then you should definitely check out Invictus. It is truly one of the best films of the year.