A win/win movie with some real authority! Produced by Harpo (Oprah spelled backwards) her company teams with the gifted Denzel Washington who directs and stars in a story, circa 1930s, of (an all black) Wiley College in Texas, who eventually make their way to Harvard for a showdown debate. Based on a true story, Melvin Tolson (Denzel) inspires his students, including one who eventually grows up to be the famous James Farmer (Denzel Whitaker) son of a preacher (Forest Whitaker) who learns the meaning of words being weapons.( Sidenote: Though the name sounds familiar, this young star is not related to either of the two adult leads.) While the initial pacing seems too forced and over-rehearsed – almost with the makings of theatrics better suited for Broadway – you’ll soon find the softer side of you falling in love with these characters. This film is about segregation, even in our educational system, as the movie examines prejudices and values or lack of them. Through their eyes we learn when it’s right to speak up and when it isn’t. Or in other words, is talking a virtue or a vice? You decide. In the meantime, this one gets Four Tiaras.
