Will Smith discovered himself in unfamiliar territory in Concussion, the place he performed Dr. Bennet Omalu, a Nigerian pathologist whose title could not resonate by way of the popular culture panorama like Ali or Hancock, however whose contributions actually lower deeper than any uppercut or giggle line.
This wasn’t the loud, swagger-filled Will Smith kind of function. This was a person stripped of highlight, taking part in one other man buried in paperwork and this function is perhaps the boldest biopic of Smith’s profession, not as a result of it was grand however as a result of it was quiet.
The Actual-Life Tragedy That Sparked Concussion
The story begins within the rust-belt coronary heart of Pittsburgh, the place a damaged soccer legend, Mike Webster, is discovered lifeless within the shell of a truck. Apparently, it was years of confusion, ache, and psychological decay that had decreased him from Corridor of Famer to homeless man. Omalu, a soft-spoken, methodical coroner, is the one who finds one thing nobody else had, and it was indicators within the mind that instructed a brand new story, one which many didn’t wish to hear.
Will Smith performed Omalu not as a hero with a cape however as a person with cussed integrity. He gave him an ungainly confidence and a mixture of religion and science. His discovery that repeated blows to the top may set off a degenerative mind situation was not simply revolutionary however inconvenient as properly, particularly for a billion-dollar empire just like the NFL.
Concussion (2015)
this film is __________ pic.twitter.com/k6enrZY5Zc
— O.T.G (@365CharlesParis) December 20, 2024
The movie avoids melodrama, however the pressure is actual. Omalu revealed his findings, however the NFL shrugged them off. Extra former gamers like Justin Strzelczyk and Terry Lengthy began falling into the identical downward spiral as Webster, which included suicide, despair, and rage. Nonetheless, the league saved its doorways closed. Omalu, in the meantime, confronted threats in each his private {and professional} life. In addition to, his colleagues get dragged by way of courtrooms, and his spouse suffers as properly. His house turns into unsafe, however nonetheless, he continues.
Why Concussion Didn’t Mild Up The Field Workplace
The film didn’t explode on the field workplace because it solely made $48m worldwide, per Field Workplace Mojo. It landed in theaters alongside flashy comedies and Oscar contenders and pulled in numbers that hardly cleared its finances. When it got here to viewers, they gave it a cut up response, the place some praised its restraint, whereas others thought it performed too protected. Nevertheless, regardless of the fuss, Smith’s function stood out for its focus. He reportedly reshaped himself for the function, voice and all, and managed to make the burden of information really feel like a heavy coat worn with objective.
Will Smith b. 25 September 1968
Actor, “Concussion”
“All through life individuals will make you mad, disrespect you and deal with you unhealthy. Let God take care of the issues they do, as a result of hate in your coronary heart will eat you too.” pic.twitter.com/yBkjKYgUPn— James Drake (@jamesjpdrake) September 25, 2024
NFL Participant Suicides And The Rising Affect Of Omalu’s Discovery
Because the story strikes ahead, so does the fallout. The NFL continues to disclaim and deflect, at the same time as our bodies pile up. Omalu is saved out of conferences whereas others communicate for him, however finally, the reality wins some floor. Duerson, a former participant who as soon as scorned Omalu, takes his personal life and leaves a observe admitting he was mistaken and providing his mind for analysis. That second shifts the tide, and at last, the league is pressured to face what it tried so laborious to disregard.
The Legacy Of Concussion And Will Smith’s Daring Selection
After a number of years, lawsuits started to pile up, and the NFL lastly modified its protocols. Within the meantime, Omalu was provided highly effective jobs in excessive locations however turned them down. He stayed in California along with his household, nonetheless quiet and regular, and have become a citizen.
Within the closing stretch of the movie, Will Smith reminds us that heroes aren’t all the time loud, however generally they’re those who communicate up when everybody else tells them to cease. Concussion will not be Smith’s most celebrated function, nevertheless it’s one the place he really disappears into another person’s pores and skin.
Concussion Trailer
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