Film Review : Concussion

 Genre: Biography, Drama, Sport

Cert: 12A 

Director: Peter Landesman

Screen writer: Peter Landesman, Jeanne Marie Laskas (GQ article "Game Brain")

Starring: Will Smith , Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , David Morse , Arliss Howard , Mike O'Malley , Eddie Marsan , Hill Harper , Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje , Stephen Moyer , Richard T. Jones , Paul Reiser , Luke Wilson , Sara Lindsey.

Running time: 123 min

Parents advised to read before viewing film as some scene may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: In the beginning a woman in revealing clothing lies on an autopsy table. The main character undresses her, although it is not shown, but we do see her bare stomach and the bare underside of one breast, no nipple shown. Another man, somewhat older, is shown shirtless on the autopsy table and earlier he is shown in a car taking his pants off, but nothing is revealed.

Violence & Gore: 

• A great many violent football hits are shown.

• Several former NFL players commit suicide.

• The film contains a brief scene of mild violence where a former NFL player lashes out due to his brain damage, but with no details or bloodletting visible

Profanity:  In the film, the characters use the expletive 'f**k' on occasion for emphasis. Other coarse language such as 'damn', 'sh*t' and 'bastard' are also used.

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: The film has a very brief scene where an NFL player is seen sniffing a blanket. It is later revealed that the player was sniffing superglue to relieve the symptoms of his brain damage

Frightening/Intense Scenes: 

• Concussion is a drama about Dr. Bennet Omala, who discovers that the frequent concussions sustained by American football sportsmen led them to madness and eventual suicide. As a result, he faces pressure from the National Football League who attempts to deny and suppress the association. The film traces Dr Omalas path to eventual vindication.

By the end of the film, archival game footage shown of football players taking blows and falling on their heads becomes disturbing with the thought of how they are dangerously injuring their brains.

Story: Will Smith stars in Concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.

Likes : Sorry ive got say this screw hollywood with their racist BS, Will Smith should get a oscar for this performance, this is his best performance to date portray Dr. Bennet Omala who discovered in 2009 a condition that wasn't found in any cat scan of the brain called chronic traumatic encephalopathy which is common in american football's for the amount of blows to the head during a game.

Now here what i didnt know the corruption in the NFL boss's choosing money over the health of the players, tried to actually cover it up & discredit Dr. Bennet Omala finding's over money, when clearly the injury sustained in a game is more dangerous to the player plus it ruin not only the players life but their families as well, this is the level of corruption in the NFL most people didnt know about.

This is a must film to watch, will smith is just phenomenal in this film portraying the character, the way its filmed is beautiful done it show that something need to be changed in the NFL they need to stop hiding behind money because players lives are at stake.

Without giving much consideration to the other performances (Luke Wilson, Alec Baldwin), the lead by Will Smith alone carries Concussion. Don't miss an opportunity to watch something beautiful on screen… an extremely talented African American actor achieving something which is beyond impressive. To so believably portray a Nigerian immigrant in such a way that comes across believable.. that is what made this film the powerhouse film of drama bio movies

Dislikes : The Corruption of the NFL is disgusting special trying to cover it up, it cost the lives of NFL players.

Overall : Compelling, brilliant portrayal , Outstand performance from will smith

Rating: 5 out of 5 for entertainment / 8 out of 10 for true story.