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Apple has exclusively debuted the first trailer for Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus,” and when you get around the initial akward shock of Morgan Freeman’s accent, work around the oddly structured but still somehow streamlined nature of the trailer, read the writing on the wall, etc., I think it becomes clear pretty quick what we all, rightly or wrongly, have assumed sight-unseen since day one: this looks like a bona fide Oscar contender.
I’ve been wondering aloud lately whether the film’s message of healing a nation’s wounds after extended political turmoil might not be more resonant now than we might think. The story delicately reflects the zeitgeist in some way. It looks to be one of the more traditional entries of the lot, which could make it a safe haven of sorts for the Academy.
And in any case, it certainly looks to pack an emotional wallop. Tough to argue with that stuff convincingly, but then again, maybe the “Gran Torino” snub meant more than we thought. Maybe Clint is becoming old hat. I doubt it, though.
Anyway, head on over to Apple and see the trailer for yourself, or check out the embed after the jump.
86 responses so far
1 10-27-2009 at 5:18 pm
Murtada said...
Only so and so, does not get me excited to see the movie. And Damon’s accent is ridiculius.
2 10-27-2009 at 5:19 pm
Murtada said...
Only so and so, does not get me excited to see the movie. And Damon’s accent is ridiculous.
3 10-27-2009 at 5:20 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Yeah, about that accent. Guy?
4 10-27-2009 at 5:20 pm
al b. said...
Finally, we get a glimpse! It looks like typical Eastwood, which (with the exception of Million Dollar Baby) never disappoints. Morgan Freeman looks extremely promising and I think he has Oscar #2 in the bag! Damon… not so much, but whatever. One thing that surprised me is how it looks more like a Sports Drama rather than a straight biopic of Mandela, which is what I was led to believe, but that doesn’t even bother me! I can’t wait for this and I will definitely see it multiple times!
5 10-27-2009 at 5:22 pm
Brian said...
That just became all kinds of front runners. And killed the entire “Obama” angle for “Precious”.
It’s going to be hard to beat Freeman. I can’t see anyone doing it. He looks great, though his accent sounds a little Bela Lugosi more than Mandela at times.
6 10-27-2009 at 5:24 pm
Brian said...
Freeman’s accent bugged me more than Damon’s? Both sounded fine, better than DiCaprio and (for natural reasons) lesser than Copely.
7 10-27-2009 at 5:24 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
al b.: I believe Guy, ever since reading the script, has been pretty loud around these parts that this WASN’T going to be a straight-up biopic.
Anyway, I actually prefer these slice of life takes rather than bloated greatest hits biopics.
8 10-27-2009 at 5:25 pm
Kristopher Tapley said...
Brian: I never understand why people diss DiCaprio’s accent. I’ve always thought he nailed it. Granted, I’m not South African and don’t know EXACTLY what to look for, but certainly there are those who would who’ve found it to be rather spot-on.
9 10-27-2009 at 5:25 pm
Brian said...
Of course, Eastwood being a staunch McCain-Palin supporting could nullify the Obama factor, if it even exists. If Invictus gets a smear campaign, I imagine it’ll focus on that.
10 10-27-2009 at 5:27 pm
Brian said...
I don’t have a problem with DiCaprio’s accent, but it always sounded like he was doing an accent, if that makes sense.
11 10-27-2009 at 5:32 pm
Harmonica said...
Right now, with ten slots and after watching that trailer, I feel pretty confident to say that Invictus is a guaranteed lock. It’s got all the elements AMPAS generally loves. And Freeman is also going to come in strong this year.
Damon’s accent also bugged me.
12 10-27-2009 at 5:32 pm
Loyal said...
Kinda underwhelming but I guess its expected for a completely unseen late in the season Eastwood film.
I still dont get why Morgan’s real voice was used in the VO.
13 10-27-2009 at 5:33 pm
Glenn said...
Both Freeman and Damon’s accents seemed to wave in and out, I thought. The movie looks fine, however, the opening moments with Freeman’s narration (AAAGH!) and the sweeping shot of a prison it felt like a “Shawshank Redemption” sequel. “Shawshank Redemption 2: Return to Shawshank”
14 10-27-2009 at 5:38 pm
Douglas said...
I have to say, to me it just looked like Morgan Freeman and sounded like Morgan Freeman.
15 10-27-2009 at 5:42 pm
adelutza said...
I don’t buy it that Morgan Freeman is Nelson Mandela. No way. On the other hand, Matt Daemon totally disappears in the character. For me.
16 10-27-2009 at 5:44 pm
adelutza said...
Of course it is Damon , my mistake .
17 10-27-2009 at 5:45 pm
Darbicus said...
As I said over at AD, if there were five BP slots instead of ten, then this would be in trouble (with several well loved films already looming or in the mix officially). As it is however, it would have to flop big time both commercially and critically in order to miss out. In any event, with a thinned out acting field I don’t think Freeman will miss out, and Damon looks like a strong bet as well.
Eastwood on the other hand may be the one left out of the directors race.
18 10-27-2009 at 5:46 pm
Speaking English said...
Damon looks great, there could definitely could be a nominated in this for him.
19 10-27-2009 at 5:47 pm
Speaking English said...
Wow that sentence was horrific, haha. I think you got what I meant, though.
20 10-27-2009 at 5:47 pm
Zach Heltzel said...
It’s hard to sugarcoat; that just looks awful.
21 10-27-2009 at 5:48 pm
al b. said...
I’m with Brian: I think this film will kill “Precious” chances at the major awards. It has more Academy-friendly names (Damon, Freeman, Eastwood) and more Academy-friendly themes: A man seemingly beaten down by the system only to rise up and heal a nation a la Gandhi, and an underdog team/athlete overcoming disadvantages to become champions a la Rocky and Chariots of Fire. Bottom Line is: It’s familiar territory for AMPAS and becomes the favorite for the season.
22 10-27-2009 at 5:49 pm
Guy Lodge said...
No comment on the trailer itself. None whatsoever.
But since Kris asked about accents, I will say that Damon seems to be on the right track, even if it seems a little studied. Freeman, however, sounds all kinds of wrong — but that’s only one aspect of the performance. I’m on the “wait and see” fence.
23 10-27-2009 at 5:56 pm
Brian said...
I didn’t say it would kill Precious’ chances, just that the (somewhat ridiculous) Obama connections would more than likely pass over to Invictus. It might even help Precious in the long run.
My big question is who’s winning director. Jackson and Eastwood seem obvious contenders, but so soon again? Reitman? Daniels? I kind of feel like they are the only four potential winners, at this point, unless someone like Bigelow starts winning a whole shitload of critics.
24 10-27-2009 at 5:56 pm
Loyal said...
I absolutely need to hear feedback from screenings before calling this anything remotely close to a frontrunner.
25 10-27-2009 at 5:56 pm
Chad Hartigan said...
Is there a movie buried somewhere in that message?
26 10-27-2009 at 6:01 pm
Chris said...
I thought Damon sounded quite alright, like Guy said, better than Freeman. I study linguistics, so I know a little about what it should theoretically sound like, so it seems not too wrong.
Overall it seems like a good trailer, maybe a little lightweight for the Eastwood enthusiasts, but should be in for BP if the trailer doesn’t lie.
27 10-27-2009 at 6:03 pm
Loyal said...
One of the theories I’ve read as to why Morgan isn’t always using a South African accent in the trailer is because your inner thoughts dont have accents!?
Which makes sense seeing as my internal monologues are in Dutch.
28 10-27-2009 at 6:06 pm
Brian said...
If Freeman narrates in his normal speaking voice, I could see this being butchered by every critic.
29 10-27-2009 at 6:18 pm
Robert Hamer said...
After seeing this trailer, I’m going to predict that this will be the next Charlie Wilson’s War. A big pedigree movie that everyone thinks is the one to beat at Oscar time, but ends up just being pretty good and fairly inspiring and ends up with only a few nominations (though Best Picture probably isn’t out of the question due to the expanded ten slots, it will not be a Best Director nominee).
Feel free to remember this post and laugh at me later if I’m wrong, but that’s my call and I’m sticking to it.
30 10-27-2009 at 6:23 pm
Michael said...
looks like a safe, easy to like but easy to forget film that the Academy loves to recognize. nothing that seems at all remarkable or never before seen, but nothing looks entirely bad either. I prefer Eastwood making movies like Unforgiven, Mystic River, and Gran Torino but he knows what he is doing most of the time so I will be there opening night for sure.
31 10-27-2009 at 6:25 pm
AmericanRequiem said...
ok guys lets settle down, youve been waiting to jump on this forever, its officialy in the race, and it certainly is a good story with huge talent behind it, lets give it the bennefit of the doubt
32 10-27-2009 at 6:29 pm
Marlowe said...
At the risk of briefly turning this into IMDB, does anyone know what that song is towards the end?
Also, as long as we’re doing IMDB, lol Damon and teh black guy from Dark night are totes ghey lol [/douche]
33 10-27-2009 at 6:33 pm
al b. said...
HA @ marlowes post!
I love that song too… need to find out what it is.
34 10-27-2009 at 6:39 pm
Matthew said...
Never been a superfan of Eastwood’s movies, and I was kind of underwhelmed by this trailer, but I’ll give it a shot, if only for what appears to be an interesting performance from Damon. Oh, and unless it goes the way of Charlie Wilson’s War as Hamer suggests, this is definitely in the Oscar race.
35 10-27-2009 at 6:47 pm
david said...
Precious…Invictus…Nine…The Hurt Locker…I really think the Best Picture winner will come from this group of four…
36 10-27-2009 at 6:48 pm
James D. said...
Gran Torino snub?
37 10-27-2009 at 6:59 pm
Marlowe said...
By the way, I may be remembering wrong, but wasn’t it a concern with a lot of people that Eastwood’s directoral style was too dark by nature to pull off this kind of movie? That at least seems to have been happily unfounded.
38 10-27-2009 at 7:11 pm
Mr. Gittes said...
Is there a movie buried somewhere in that message? – Chad.
Based on Peckham’s draft, NO.
39 10-27-2009 at 7:20 pm
Jim T said...
The most interesting thing about it is that it’s so boring! It’s like Eastwood wanted to make us believe that he didn’t make this to win another Oscar but to bore us to death. The movie could be good of course but the trailer yells “anything other than an Oscar contender”.
40 10-27-2009 at 7:46 pm
daveylow said...
A born Oscar contender? The kiss of death.
41 10-27-2009 at 7:51 pm
Richard Widmark said...
Bullshit, daveylow. All I got was a nomination.
42 10-27-2009 at 7:55 pm
Alex said...
The movie looks terrible but Damon’s accent is acceptable (coming from a South African).
Joseph Fiennes was better in that movie with Diane Kruger that I can’t think of…
43 10-27-2009 at 8:01 pm
Billyboy said...
It looks… boring. Looks like a motivational-self help movie.
But sure, this is definitely one of the ten nominees.
44 10-27-2009 at 8:07 pm
Patryk said...
Hopefully less than 120 minutes.
45 10-27-2009 at 8:39 pm
Jake said...
Damon’s accent is fine. That’s how South Africans actually sound.
I’m not sure about the movie though…
46 10-27-2009 at 9:46 pm
Pauley said...
So it was Mandela who wanted the South Africans to poison the New Zealand Rugby team the night before the final?
47 10-27-2009 at 9:51 pm
red_wine said...
The slight Freeman bit at the beginning and at the end is not narration, he’s reading the poem Invictus, which gives the film its title. Maybe its only for the trailer.
His accent in the movie though sounds awful. But Freeman’s always interesting to watch. From the trailer, it seems like the material does not play to Eastwood’s strengths. He’s best when he’s doing stripped down bare dramas. But he’s also my favorite director this decade by far.
48 10-27-2009 at 10:10 pm
Leone said...
odd accents, agreed. trailer fell a little flat for me but has all the elements of an oscar movie but a trailer is less than 3 minutes so who knows…. with the current slate of movies, many can claim “zeitgeist” status. i think it’s a stretch for this one. frankly, i also think it’s a stretch for precious which is a small, slice of life story about one african american abused girl which is a very focused story – certainly not relatable to everyone, as good as the performances are. the hurt locker (war) is something most of us can relate to but the movie, as critically hailed as it is hasn’t made much at the box office so something about it didn’t catch the zeitgeist, up in the air (unemployment) seems to actually have the most recognizable, accessible and universal themes – umemployment, being connected with each other, learning what matters to us most in life and the movie does it in a supremely watchable way, with humor and heart. if zeitgeist wins oscars, it makes a strong argument for up in the air, the pieces just fit.
49 10-27-2009 at 11:01 pm
Silencio said...
Eh.
50 10-27-2009 at 11:04 pm
Justin said...
Let’s hope this isn’t a repeat of exactly 20 years ago when a bland white-friendly film dealing with issues of race (Driving Miss Daisy) beat out a much more deserving film dealing with issues of race (Do The Right Thing).
Precious FTW.
51 10-27-2009 at 11:41 pm
Homero said...
Am I the only one unbelievably excited about Rugby finally being put in a major film? I love the South Africa Springboks more than any other team, despite France being in a very close second place. Damon may not really look like Francois Pienaar, but I have a feeling he’ll definitely move like him.
I personally think this looks great, it seems flawless, and I can’t wait to see the finished project as soon as possible.
52 10-28-2009 at 12:41 am
The Other James D. said...
Freeman and Damon both have accent issues, so neither one winning feels secure to be. Damon’s nomination doesn’t even feel that secure, but this solidifies Freeman. I still get a Frost/Nixon-type of vibe in terms of how it’ll play out during awards season. I think many are overestimating Freeman’s chances–take a look at the past two years. The Best Actor winner was a previous winner both times. So a third time in a row? I’m…skeptical, to say the least. I feel that Firth could make a stronger grab for the title. No guarantee, just a hunch that we won’t have a THIRD repeat winner (the repeat more likely to come from Cruz and/or Streep).
*Sigh*….I wish “Goodbye, Banfana” had made it. Then, this would’ve been the “Infamous” of Mandela biopics. Argh.
53 10-28-2009 at 1:55 am
mike said...
looks great, morgan freeman has the most swagger of any actor out there, could care less about oscars just looks like a great film again from Eastwood. Him and Freeman is up there with Scorsese/De Niro etc.
54 10-28-2009 at 2:15 am
mike said...
reading these comments, i never knew movie buffs were too hip for Mandela. this is a real life story unlike that Driving Miss Daisy. I swear you guy will do anything 4 a movie with “edge”. Precious looks worse than this.
55 10-28-2009 at 3:50 am
Caleb Roth said...
I still think Matt Damon gets in for The Informant, and not for this.
56 10-28-2009 at 4:17 am
Alex in Movieland said...
boooooooooring.
THE NEWS?
1. it’s a very weak Best Actor race and I doubt (from the trailer) than Morgan Freeman could win with something so light (and I bet he’s not even in half of it). So let’s hear some campaign for Viggo… or… Firth or anyone else.
2. We need to start looking for another nominee in the Best Supporting Actor. Damon won’t happen. But we can count on Molina, Waltz, Tucci and plummer
57 10-28-2009 at 5:14 am
Jonathan Spuij said...
Eastwood haters should simply acknowledge the amazing craftmanship that drips from this trailer. It might not be all that brilliant, but it looks far better than most stuff we’ve seen this year even though it might be a tad predictable.
Also I’m digging the Frost/Nixon thing. Surefire nominee but no winner.
58 10-28-2009 at 5:26 am
DHE said...
This movie probably would have seemed fresh and relevant 10 years ago. I can’t help thinking that District 9 had more to say about South Africa today than this movie does.
59 10-28-2009 at 5:42 am
voland said...
Damon looks very promising.
In the end, The Lovely Bones will come out top.
60 10-28-2009 at 5:46 am
Alex said...
Never has a truer word been spoken DHE.
This movie seems slightly stale. It might appeal to the throngs who flocked to Gran Torino.
61 10-28-2009 at 5:53 am
Loyal said...
Check for Best Picture Nominee
Check for Not Going To Win Best Picture
is it that simple?
That’s a growing list of presumed BP nominees that wont win
An Education (too light)
Bright Star (too light)
The Hurt Locker (not enough $$$)
Invictus (lesser Eastwood)
Up (a Cartoon)
A Serious Man (too soon)
In a matter of weeks, we’ll be able to check off as no’s or include as possible winners The Lovely Bones, Nine, Up in the Air, Precious, and Avatar.
If we’re to judge by Kristopher’s inside take, The Lovely Bones is already checked off.
Who knew having 10 nominees would actually make predicting the winner tidy and easy.
62 10-28-2009 at 6:23 am
"Julianstark" said...
True, but with ten nominees, it means that a presumed frontrunner would face a more challenging vote split.
Voters have ten different films now. For argument’s sake, let’s say that there is a singular frontrunner. At the moment, I’d say Precious. The nine other films in the race make a vote split much more likely for voters who may not prefer said frontrunner. They now have nine different films to choose from instead of four. That means that there is a stronger likelihood that these voters who dislike the frontrunner would vote for something else…
That being said, I think it makes things much more interesting
But back to Invictus: it looks incredible. Can’t wait to see Freeman and Damon (hopefully) nail it out of the park
63 10-28-2009 at 6:38 am
Sawyer said...
It looks like it will be very entertaining, and I’m certain it will play well with the Academy. But yeah, it kind of has a Frost/Nixon feel to it – lots of nominations, no big wins.
I don’t see anything from this trailer to think that Freeman has a better chance than Clooney to win Best Actor. Damon on the other hand has a really good shot in a BSA field that needs a frontrunner.
64 10-28-2009 at 6:50 am
Alex said...
Continuing Loyal’s riff:
You can cross off Avatar (trailer underwhelmed, can’t live up to expectations, sci-fi and too much CGI)
You can cross off Nine (it might be extremely competent but seems to lack emotional resonance, doesn’t distinguish itself from Chicago)
The Lovely Bones seems to have been cooking for a little too long. A bit stale.
I say it’s between Up in the Air and Precious.
Up in the Air still has to open (I know Precious hasn’t but it kind of has….).
65 10-28-2009 at 6:53 am
M.Harris said...
I like the trailer.It looks like a Oscar contender to me.The thing that struck me was,how it reminds me of a certain new president that we have in this country.A change of guard.Sort to speak.
Of course our president didn’t have to go into office right after Apartheid.And he was elected by all people,White,Black,Asian etc.etc.What he has and is going through is no where near what Mandela went through,but I did see some parallels to our current situation in the trailer.
I think that this could possibly resonant with Oscar voters and movie goers in general.This all depends if it is a quality film of course.So time will tell.
66 10-28-2009 at 6:57 am
Christian said...
I actually liked the trailer. Whether it turns out to be a serious Oscar contender or not, I think is irrelevant, it at least looks like a good time at the movies. As well, it’s enjoyable to see Eastwood making something that isn’t all dark and moody.
67 10-28-2009 at 7:03 am
Evan said...
Morgan Freeman’s performance here looks pretty unfortunate. He’s at his best when he plays rough and tumble. I’m finding his nobility shtick a little tiresome.
68 10-28-2009 at 7:27 am
hmm said...
Boring.
69 10-28-2009 at 7:45 am
Kevin said...
I agree with Kris, that this looks to be great because it’s not a string of “Mandela’s greatest hit” kind of biopic. It’s about a historical movement, politically and socially. A slice of life movie. But I won’t lie, that trailer gave me chills, and looks like a great return to form for Eastwood, who I have always said is better these days when taking on stories that involve international subjects. Look at Letters from Iwo Jima. That was his best film (IMO) since Unforgiven. Eastwood is very well educated about these kinds of international moments in history, and it shows in films like Iwo Jima.
But this looks like a film of a different caliber. Freeman looks like he is going to jump way ahead of the pack for Best Actor, and Damon could be seeing either a double nom (for The Informant and Invictus) or at least a near lock for Supporting Actor nom. It’s definitely turning out to be a huge year for Matt Damon, thats for sure. Last sidenote, the cinematography in this looks GORGEOUS.
In short, I can’t wait, it looks terrific. Welcome back Clint.
70 10-28-2009 at 7:46 am
The Other James D. said...
@Sawyer: BSA in need of a frontrunner?!
I’m sorry, have you been dunking your head in acid and forgotten about Christoph Waltz? While I don’t think the film is gonna score in that many categories, and might even miss in Original Screenplay, I think it’s still looking like this year’s “Vicky Cristina Barcelona”, with a supporting race frontrunner that misses out in the other categories, and was an August release from The Weinstein Company.
71 10-28-2009 at 7:51 am
"Julianstark" said...
Also for the frontrunners… we still have Christopher Plummer in The Last Station and Stanley Tucci in The Lovely Bones…
72 10-28-2009 at 7:59 am
Kevin said...
Oh one more thing, the shot inside the stadium are pretty breathtaking, they really give a sense of the scale of the stadium itself.
73 10-28-2009 at 8:28 am
Zodiac said...
Billyboy said…
It looks… boring. Looks like a motivational-self help movie.
ha haaha so funny and SO true! I had a problem with the accent Freeman tried on…it felt and heard unnatural. Damon on the other hand looks good in this.
It feels like an all american feel good forrest gump cliche sentimal garbage crap the Academy will nominate for sure
74 10-28-2009 at 8:41 am
DHE said...
Was anyone discussing Slumdog Millionaire last year at this time?
Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
75 10-28-2009 at 8:45 am
"Julianstark" said...
This was around the time when it was starting to gain buzz for a nomination, but nobody was really thinking it would win Best Picture along with seven other Oscars.
In fact, at this point, I think that many people were under the impression that it was a comedy because the story sounds kinda humorous. Of course, these were people who hadn’t seen it, and I have to admit that I was one of those people
76 10-28-2009 at 9:02 am
Kevin said...
Wow Zodiac, I didn’t know it was a crime to feel good after seeing a movie. Forrest Gump? Where the hell do you get that comparison from? I ask again, what’s wrong with wanting to leave a movie feeling good about the human condition, rather than depressed and beaten down by cynicism and tragedy? I guess I missed the memo on that one.
77 10-28-2009 at 9:08 am
aspect ratio said...
Not that I was looking forward to this all that much before, but this trailer doesn’t change my mind either. It kinda feels like Eastwood’s made a Triumphant Hollywood Sports Movie with a twist, the kind of Oscar pandering in the worst of ways which we haven’t had to suffer through so much in the past few years thanks to braver choices by the Academy.. But I’m sure they’ll eat this up because it’s “Important” and “Inspirational”.
District 9 looks to retain the crown of top South African politicial-themed movie of the year.
78 10-28-2009 at 9:18 am
Loyal said...
@ DHE
Yes, I believe so. It blew the roof off Toronto in September which started the Slumdog gravy train.
79 10-28-2009 at 9:19 am
Kevin said...
Man, I don’t really get why everyone is suddenly ganging up on this film. It looks good. I ask again, what the hell is wrong with a movie that leaves you feeling good and inspired by the end? Are we that cynical that we can’t let ourselves be happy watching a movie without accusing it of being “shallow” or “sentimental” or “manipulative”? The level of negativity in the film community is pretty astounding sometimes. I for one would love to see this movie for exactly the reason that unlike “Precious” (a masterwork in its own right) or other depressing movies, I get to feel inspired and good afterwords. Is that so wrong? Jesus.
80 10-28-2009 at 10:35 am
snowballa said...
@kevin: there’s nothing wrong with feel good movies, but am i supposed to believe that a rugby game cures apartheid which is kind of what this movie is going for? add in the tired “great white hope” meme and you’ve got yourself another run-of-the-mill “nominate me!” movie
81 10-28-2009 at 1:40 pm
Anonymous said...
The trailer was great up until the Matt Damon line about Mandela, “I think he wants us to win the World Cup.” Soccer?
This doesn’t seem like the film I thought it was going to be.
82 10-29-2009 at 2:51 am
Mike said...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_World_Cup
83 10-29-2009 at 8:33 pm
JamesJ said...
True dat, but the hype about this film is misplaced:
For a contrarian view, see:
http://africasacountry.com/2009/10/28/it-wasnt-rugby/