Invictus

Did Morgan Freeman do an outstanding job as Nelson Mandela? No doubt. Could a real South African have done just as good a job? Probably, but it may not have sold as many tickets in the US. Sad huh? Could the captain of the South African Rugby team have been played as well by someone other than Matt Damon? Maybe someone actually from South Africa?

Okay this seems to be my quest for the summer - actors actually from the countries the movies are about.

Dear Hollywood Suits, please watch more foreign movies. There is plenty of talent out there NOT from the US. Maybe you will sell fewer tickets in the US but how much will you save in salaries? Okay I have no idea, but you get my point.

Back to the movie? Inspiring and funny don't usually come in the same package. This time it does. As a former resident of the apartheid state I can see the struggle for change. This story tells us more behind the scenes in the early 90s than most of us Yanks are aware of. A little history is a good thing.

This movie is a very good thing. Watch it with someone who knows nothing about rugby.