Concussion (2015)

"Concussion" stars Will Smith, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, and Albert Brooks. Released on December 25, 2015, the film is about a forensic pathologist who discovers a football-related brain trauma known as CTE.

The film is directed by Peter Landesman, who also directed and wrote Parkland, and it is based on a true story about Dr. Bennet Omalu, who fought to get the NFL to know about his research on the brain damage suffered by professional football players. I was really speculating on whether or not this film would be great based on the trailers alone. It had a great concept on football-related brain injury, but I felt the main challenge would be its execution. I was expecting it to be good, but after watching this film, I didn't realize it would be this good.

Pros:
Some strong performances from the cast. Will Smith was brilliant as Bennet Omalu and Alec Baldwin shines as Julian Bailes.

Solid screenplay that explores the dangers of CTE.

Good direction from Landesman.

Solid uses of emotional depth in the second and third acts.

Strong characterization of Omalu.

Cons:
Pacing can be a bit slow at times.

Its concept can be a bit frightening for younger viewers.
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Final thoughts: Lead by Will Smith's powerful performance and an engaging screenplay that explores the man behind the shocking discovery, "Concussion" hits hard and doesn't hold back until the very end. I'm expecting this film to be a learning tool for parents who are planning on letting their kids play football. That way, they'll easily find a way to protect them from suffering the same fates as the other deceased football players. This is a high recommendation for football fans, parents, and neurologists everywhere.

A-