FilmSnobReviews

Title: Concussion
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Peter Landesman
Starring: Will Smith, Alec Baldwin, Albert Brooks
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins

What It Is: Pathologist Dr. Bennet Omalu (Smith) is working for the coroner’s office in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania when a particularly important person arrives on his slab. This person is former Super Bowl-winning Center (Iron) Mike Webster (David Morse), formerly of the Steelers. His death makes no sense to the wise Nigerian immigrant and upon further investigation he finds a strain of proteins undetectable by CT scan. These proteins lead to various mental illnesses that are somewhat reminiscent of early onset Alzheimers.

What We Think: What the hell is this thing? It is so damn draggy and boring. Smith really tries his best, but the Nigerian accent he’s using just comes off as distracting more so than believable. There was probably a much better movie underneath whatever this was doing, and I would’ve liked to have seen that film. Likewise, I feel as though the NFL held this thing almost at gunpoint. Like seriously look no further than Roger Goodell being played by Luke Wilson. That is ambitious of the ole commish innit? All in all, there’s a story to be told, just not one that is particularly interesting.

Our Grade: C, This film is an absolute disappointment. Will Smith really wants to be in the movie this thinks it is suppose to be, but that dillusional attitude really stops everything from formulating as it should. I can’t sau this is a great movie. It is also not a good movie it just is. Mediocrity is abound here, perhaps a bit too much. See it if only for watching Will Smith finally do more than just cash a check. I think that might be the biggest surprise surrounding this film. Quelling the skyscraper size ego of Smith and not just letting him do whatever he wants.