The Great Debaters »
By Carrie on Aug 20, 2008 in Movies, Reviews | 0 Comments | Edit
The Great Debaters was our viewing choice last night, and it was a worthy way to spend an evening. Denzel Washington directed and starred in this film based on the true story of a debating team from Wiley College (an all-black school) in Marshall, Texas.
Washington stars as Professor Melvin Tolson, a poet and teacher who coaches the debate team. The year is 1935. Blacks are not allowed entrance to state colleges. Blacks are still lynched in the state of Texas - and all over the south. Sharecroppers have a standard of living that is barely above slavery.
Enter James Farmer, Jr., Samantha Booke, and Henry Lowe, Tolson’s choices for the debate team. They are young - Farmer, Jr. in particular, who is only 14 - but they are smart and they have a passion for justice. After an undefeated season, they are invited to debate Harvard’s debate team - the first time Harvard welcomed the team from an all-black school.
Denzel Washington is always brilliant. Forest Whitaker stars as James Farmer, Sr. - and his son, Denzel Whitaker (named for Washington), plays his son in the film. Talent certainly runs thick in the Whitaker blood. Also putting in wonderful performances are Jurnee Smollet as Samantha Booke and Nate Parker as Henry Lowe. It was also nice to see Gina Ravera in a small role as Tolson’s wife - something completely different from her portrayal of Lt. Daniels on TNT’s The Closer.
Highly recommended.




















