“Invictus”

“Invictus”(2009) is masterful. When the Springboks, a South African Rugby team, wins the 1995 World Cup, we see a near miracle of unification. Nelson Mandela, newly elected, chooses the nearly all-white (read “Africaner” or “Boer”) rugby team as a symbol to stitch together the racially and economically divided country after the struggle to end apartheid….

Grand Torino (Clint Eastwood) and Slumdog Millionaire (Danny Boyle): In the Same Neighborhood of themes

Grand Torino and Slumdog Millionaire share certain themes and characteristics. 1) Both are love stories–though “Grand Torino” is a bit of a sneaky one, and “Slumdog Millionaire” is more along a classic fable line. 2) Both reveal depths of an exploration of cultural difference with deft sensitivity…though, again, “Grand Torino” sneaks up on you with…