Synopsis
A dramatic thriller based on the incredible true David vs. Goliath story of American immigrant Dr. Bennet Omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of CTE, a football-related brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Omalu's emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful institutions in the world.
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Cast
- Will SmithDr. Bennet Omalu
- Alec BaldwinDr. Julian Bailes
- Albert BrooksDr. Cyril Wecht
- Gugu Mbatha-RawPrema Mutiso
- David MorseMike Webster
- Arliss HowardDr. Joseph Maroon
- Mike O'MalleyDaniel Sullivan
- Eddie MarsanDr. Steven DeKosky
- Hill HarperChristopher Jones
- Adewale Akinnuoye-AgbajeDave Duerson
Recommendations
- 83
Entertainment Weekly
Director Peter Landesman, who also helmed last year’s political thriller "Kill the Messenger", doesn’t color much outside the lines of conventional drama. But his straightforward telling actually serves the strong cast and taut script — and a story that would be deemed too outrageous to believe if it wasn’t true. - 75
Chicago Sun-Times
Concussion is a good movie that could have been great without trying so hard to be great. - 70
The Hollywood Reporter
This film is vital in uncovering a hazard that was kept hidden for far too long. At last the secret is out, and Landesman and his fine cast will help to keep the conversation going. - 70
Screen Daily
Landesman’s film may not be scintillating drama, but it aches with muted anger, and his cast makes sure to keep the proceedings at a consistent simmering boil. - 58
The A.V. Club
Smith’s Omalu makes a compelling character, supported by his mentor Cyril Wecht (Albert Brooks) and former team doctor Julian Bailes (Alec Baldwin). But Concussion doesn’t crackle like the best whistleblower dramas. - 50
Variety
Effective enough as a cautionary tale about willful ignorance and as a showcase for Will Smith...the film is let down by its confused and cliche-riddled screenplay, which struggles mightily to take a complex story and finesse it to fit story beats it was never meant to hit. - 50
The Playlist
A lack of pace and illuminating insight are what keep Concussion from lasting resonance, its flaws threatening to dull the issue for drama in a way that the NFL could only appreciate. - 40
TheWrap
Timely but dreary and dramatically inept.
