This is a good film starring 3 young students in a debate team, the first black team to win the national champions.
I am not familiar with the debate rules, but many times I was scratching my head wondering if this is real. What are the skills involved in this challenge? Is it the ability to give a speech? Since their teacher/coach was writing all the scripts, I assume that’s what they were doing. Or is their acting skills? Because I thought the girl was more acting than debating.
If they’re supposed to argue pro or against, how come all the ones in the movie were morally pro? They never had to argue something that wasn’t right. Also, why is it about truth? There is only one truth, so a subject is either truthful or not.
I liked Forest Whitaker’s character. At first he looked like the stereo-typical conservative religious type, and for a few seconds during a scene with Denzel Washington it looked that way. Instead he turned out to be a wise and benevolent man.
The Denzel character didn’t work for me. He was supposed to be rebellious but at the same time benevolent and a good teacher. It just didn’t feel that way to me.
I still had a good time watching it, I just had some problems with it.
Rating: 3 Stars