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Reviews Counted:126
Fresh:99
Rotten:27
Average Rating:7/10
Consensus: A wonderful cast and top-notch script elevate The Great Debaters beyond a familiar formula for a touching, uplifting drama.
Runtime: 2 hrs 3 mins
Genre: Dramas
US Box Office: $29,961,818
Synopsis: Denzel Washington directs and stars in this uplifting drama based on a true story about a small East Texas all-black college in 1935 that rises to the top of the nation's debate teams in a duel... [More]
Starring: Denzel Washington, Forest Whitaker, Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett
Director: Denzel Washington
A highly engaging, entertaining, occasionally thought-provoking, and even sometimes emotionally moving and touching offering that proves following a recipe isn't a bad thing, especially if it's handled just right
Washington as a filmmaker works in big, unsubtle moves, but this is a sizable story in the never-ending racial struggle so we'll let it slide.
The phrase "inspired by" may buy a filmmaker creative leeway, but it's at the cost of credibility with an audience.
As director, Washington makes speechifying as exciting as a touchdown run!
When The Great Debaters ends, expect to be uplifted despite the inherent schmaltz. Think about the film for any length of time afterwards, and the wheels of its storytelling undeniably begin to deflate.
A predictable but sturdy genre offering.
These students, the movie tells us, went on to become major figures in the civil-rights movement - and seeing how they got there is an illuminating lesson.
Were the film not so insistent on conventional payoffs, The Great Debaters could have been much more satisfying. As it is, it's a pleasant holiday film with a positive message.
This isn't just the story of a debate team, it's a captivating picture of what ambitious, intelligent black people faced (then), and still face today in some areas.
Ultimately, the film does work as an inspirational tale even if it requires way too much effort and patience on the viewer's part before it gets there.
Director Denzel Washington’s The Great Debaters is pure Hollywood, not without its share of storytelling cliches and golden-toned inspirational teaching moments, but you know what? The results really are inspirational.
It's like the smartest kid in the class being content to slide by with a B instead of putting in just a little bit of effort for an A.
Though highly calculating and predictable, and pretty far from documentary status, it's still a remarkably entertaining example of the underdog-wins-against-the-odds genre.
Turns out Denzel Washington makes magic on both sides of the camera.
A classic story told traditionally and well: Hollywood at its classiest, if most predictable.
An absolute triumph for Denzel Washington. Here is a movie that can make a difference. What more can you ask from a film?
As the director, [Denzel] Washington brings no special stylistic flourish to the film, instead placing himself at the straightforward service of the Oprah Winfrey-produced story.
A perfectly respectable drama, made from the Inspiring Sports Movie template.
Now that it's possible to get stories about thoughtful African-Americans on the big screen, is it too much to ask that the stories be more thoughtful as well?
Terrific acting lights up this period drama directed by Denzel Washington.
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