Let us count the myriad ways in which Invictus is Oscar-bait gold.
– Its trailer boasts a Morgan Freeman voice over. And as we know, since he was a little boy people have enjoyed the sound of Morgan Freeman’s voice. It’s like a hug from your favourite childhood cartoon character, a soothing baritone composed entirely of sagely wisdom and sunshine and hope. I wish I could wrap Morgan Freeman’s voice in silk and offer it to loved ones as gifts, but I can’t. Instead his voice can only compel us to watch films he stars in. It worked for this , not so much for this.
– Invictus is helmed by Clint Eastwood. Clint mother fuckin’ Eastwood! A man whose track record includes four best picture nods (Unforgiven, Million Dollar Baby, Mystic River and Letters From Iwo Jima) and two best picture wins (Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven). The dude even helped Hillary Swank win a second Oscar.
– Invictus doesn’t star Clint Eastwood. Ensuring bouts of undeicpherable dialogue don’t ruin your movie going experience.
– Judging from District 9 and Disgrace South Africa is the new Mumbai?
– The combination of an inspirational sporting underdog with an inspirational political underdog is pure genius. Like Hotel Rwanda meets The Mighty Ducks.
– Did I mention that Morgan Freeman and hence Morgan Freeman’s voice will feature prominently?
