Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

The cynic in me would say that studio bosses would have received the news of Nelson Mandela's death with mixed feelings. Sadness and respect, of course, but I can't help wondering that the timing of his death could be seen as something of a positive for those with a financial and a creative interest in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. People will go and see the film for many reasons: to reflect on Mandela's life and legacy, to see Idris Elba's performance or, like me, to simply learn more about the man and his achievements. From this point of view, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is an informative biopic and will give the audience a run-down of the major milestones and events in Mandela's life. This, however, does not necessarily make for a great cinematic experience.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom can't be knocked for its ambitious scope: it attempts to tell Mandela's story from his coming-of-age ceremony in the South African savannah, to his election as President in 1994. Idris Elba takes on the role and, for the most part, gives a nuanced and accomplished performance which captivates the audience from the very beginning. He is a commanding screen presence and, placed alongside Naomie Harris as his headstrong wife Winnie, is certainly one of the film's strengths. Harris' portrayal of Winnie's transformation is also very interesting to watch: from doting and vulnerable new wife and mother, to militant campaigner, Winnie's story is just as engaging as that of Mandela.

Elba is particularly assured when playing Mandela as a young man, charting his involvement with the ANC and exploring his attitudes towards violence and his experiences in prison. The problem here, however, is that the film feels a little too referential and merely skims the surface of Mandela's personal conflicts. Of course, a film charting the monumental events of Mandela's life was never going to have enough time but it often felt that the film was going through the motions, ticking off the milestones: a whistle-stop Mandela Tour.

The film is shot beautifully by Lol Crawley and the images of rural South Africa are particularly striking. Some have criticised the film's score as being too emotionally manipulative but I feel that it fits with the film's tone: this is not an exposé of some aspects of Mandela's life or a revelatory film: it is a dramatic summary, if you will, of Mandela. Its primary function is to be an emotive drama and its score reflects this. During scenes of prison visits by Mandela's family, the prison guard demands that the visits are conducted with the proviso that the conversations will include “no politics”. Some will disagree, but I think that, similarly, the film's own politics are less evident than they could be. This is not necessarily, however, a weakness.

Perhaps the central issue is this: does the film's subject-matter – based on the life and achievements of one of the most influential figures of modern times – automatically create a film of value and importance? The answer is no, it doesn't. Many will, perhaps, be disappointed with Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom because it fails to offer any more information than Mandela's Wikipedia entry. South Africa may look stunning, the cast may be captivating and the events portrayed may be exciting and affecting. But it's all too neat. At the beginning of this review, I asked whether or not biopics can make great cinematic experiences. Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is not a triumph of cinema because, paradoxically, it is too cinematic, too polished and too referential.

Clapperboard Rating: * * * 

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom is released nationwide on 3rd January 2014