Written and directed by peter landesman, concussion includes among its stars will smith, gugu mbatharaw, alec baldwin, david morse, albert brooks, and arliss howard. Bennet omalu, played by will smith, and his struggle to warn the national football league of a brain condition that he discovered in. Bennet omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against. Concussion is a football movie that goes against the grain of its genre. Her writing has appeared in gq, esquire, the new york times magazine, o. At a time when most football fans are gearing up for super bowl 50, the movie concussion has made itself impossible for even casual observers of the sport to ignore. The movie version, starring will smith, is scheduled for a christmas day release. Will smith stars as an american hero who took on an institution to deliver the truth. Aug 11, 2017 bennet omalu, the neuropathologist portrayed by will smith in the 2015 awardnominated film concussion, may not understand one of our countrys biggest athletic obsessions, but he understands. Will smiths latest bid for a gong, concussion, fits squarely into that bracket. Jeanne marie laskas is the author of seven books, including concussion, hidden america, and the exact same moon. In concussion, will smith is bringing the controversial true story of how one doctor discovered cte chronic traumatic encephalopathy a. This onepage guide includes a plot summary and brief analysis of concussion by jeanne marie laskas.
Effects are usually temporary but can include headaches, concentration problems, memory loss, balance and coordination difficulties. Concussion lands a solid, wellacted hit on its impressively timely subject matter, even if its traditional sports drama structure is a little too safe to deserve a fullon dance in the end zone. Bennet omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play. Traditional assessments of concussion involve subjective assessments of performance on cognitive function and balance e. The article was later expanded by laskas into a book, concussion penguin random house, 2015, and adapted into a drama film of the same name. At the climactic moment of concussion, a docudrama out christmas day about the young coroner in pittsburgh who took on the nfl, the fbi turns up. Common symptoms after a concussive traumatic brain injury are headache, loss of memory amnesia and confusion. Bennet omalu, a pathologist who becomes embroiled in a. Book by concussion doctor is recommended reading for. Dec 21, 2015 at the climactic moment of concussion, a docudrama out christmas day about the young coroner in pittsburgh who took on the nfl, the fbi turns up. Dec 24, 2015 concussion is a football movie that goes against the grain of its genre. Concussions are usually caused by a direct blow to the head, but can also occur after a motor vehicle accident.
New york times bestseller the riveting, unlikely story of dr. The book affords an opportunity for students to experience nonfiction at its best. Bennet omalu, the neuropathologist portrayed by will smith in the 2015 awardnominated film concussion, may not understand one of our countrys biggest athletic obsessions, but. W ill smiths concussion turns out to have an appropriate title. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesnt. Bennet omalu, a nigerian born doctor, who, as a forensic pathologist discovered a link between repetitive football injuries and brain injury. Nigeriaborn bennet omalu is perhaps an unlikely hero, a medical doctor boardcertified in four areas of pathology, anatomic, clinical, forensic, and neuropathology, and a wellrounded specialist in death. Advance praise for concussion a gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Nov 24, 2015 a maddening, wellconstructed tale of medical discovery and corporate coverup, set in morgues, laboratories, courtrooms, and football fields. Omalu was the pathologist on duty when the body of. Oscarnominated actor will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on. All mayo clinic campuses offer baseline concussion testing, comprehensive brain health evaluations, and detailed rehabilitation, wellness and performance programs for athletes before and after they have had concussions. Athletes or parents can choose to share the results with their doctors and athletic trainers. All of the discussion questions and assignments suggested below will be helpful for students who have read the book as well as for those who have only.
Concussion movie vs true story of bennet omalu, mike webster. I share the view of many that concussion, although not without its flaws and controversies, is certainly a. What i liked this book was such an unexpected surprise for me. Concussion is a 2015 american biographical sports drama film directed and written by peter landesman, based on the expose game brain by jeanne marie laskas, published in 2009 by gq magazine. In the film, omalu, portrayed by will smith, is the central character.
Concussion, the movie, may change way football is played. Five days before the movie concussion hits theaters, one of the nfls brightest young stars took a running start and launched himself headfirst at the earhole of an opponents helmet this. Taut, gripping, and gorgeously told, concussion is the stirring story of one unlikely mans decision to stand up to a multibilliondollar colossus, and to tell the world the truth. If you saw the film concussion, starring will smith, you know that bennet omalu is the unlikely figure. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. The hijacking of the civilrights movement by todays black race hustlers and white liberals, all acting through the. I share the view of many that concussion, although not without its flaws and controversies, is certainly a brilliantly acted, written, and directed film. Jan 18, 2007 book details concussion damage in the nfl research shows that late nfl football player andre waters had brain damage. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesn. The nfls reaction to the concussion movie starring will. Book by concussion doctor is recommended reading for parents of football kids. Concussion testing care at mayo clinic mayo clinic. Will smith portrays omalu in concussion, a film also based on that article, which is scheduled for release on christmas. Storyline will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs.
The real doctors behind concussion movie speak out. For will smith, concussion is a step in the right direction. Nov 24, 2015 praise for concussion a gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Rebecca skloot, author of the immortal life of henrietta lacks the story of dr. Omalus emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful. That discovery and its aftermath are the basis for jeanne marie laskas latest book, concussion. Oct 06, 2015 concussion is a so much more than a football book. Dec 14, 2015 that discovery and its aftermath are the basis for jeanne marie laskas latest book, concussion. Taut, gripping, and gorgeously told, concussion is the stirring true story of one unlikely mans courageous decision to stand up to a multibilliondollar colossus bent on silencing him, and to tell the world the truth. Bennet omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against the national football league trying to suppress. Dec 24, 2015 in concussion, will smith is bringing the controversial true story of how one doctor discovered cte chronic traumatic encephalopathy a brain disease caused by the repetitive head trauma.
As set out above, twm strongly suggests having students in grades ten through college read the book concussion. Bennet omalu, the brilliant forensic neuropathologist who made the first discovery of cte, a footballrelated brain trauma, in a pro player and fought for the truth to be known. Concussion by peter landesman peter landesman, will smith. Assessment of visualmotor tracking following concussion. Bennet omalus battle against the nfl is classic david and goliath stuff, and jeanne marie laskasone of my favorite writers on earth. The current thought in finding a cure is to develop a medication that would prevent the buildup of tau proteins in the brain, which is the characteristic component of cte. Bennet omalu, the pathologist who made one of the most significant medical discoveries of the twentyfirst century, a discovery that challenges the existence of americas favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of footballs most powerful. Read excerpts from the book in the atlantic and the wall street journal. With will smith, alec baldwin, albert brooks, david morse.
The 2015 film concussion, which is nominated for an mtv movie award in the true story category, stars will smith as dr. Bennet omalu, the pathologist who first identified cte in professional football players, a discovery that challenges the existence of americas favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of footballs most powerful corporation. Bennet omalu will smith, the man who discovered the presence of the. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn pathologist who brought the issue of brain damage in retired nfl players to the forefront, concussion is. Laskas serves as director of the writing program at the university of pittsburgh, where she teaches creative writing, and she lives on a horse farm in. A third of the way through, football had been mentioned only once. A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brains function. New york times bestseller now a major motion picture starring will smith, concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of dr. It involves enforcing rules that are already on the rule book about headtohead hits and purposeful hits to the head. Book details concussion damage in the nfl research shows that late nfl football player andre waters had brain damage. Soon to be a major motion picture starring will smith, concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of dr.
Bennet omalu, the pathologist who made one of the most significant medical discoveries of the twentyfirst century, a discovery that challenges the existence of america s favorite sport and puts omalu in the crosshairs of football s most. Is the will smith movie concussion based on a true story. Waters suffered multiple concussions during his nfl career, and committed. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn pathologist who brought the issue of brain damage in retired nfl players to the forefront, concussion is the sort of underdogstaresdown. Bennet omalu, played in this movie by will smith, laments to his wife prema, near the final quarter of concussion. Although the biomechanics of concussion is a research area that spans many length scales, there is now substantial work across these scales that establish a coordinated approach for better understanding of concussive brain injury and how new technologies can be developed to reduce the incidence of concussion. Verdict this book spins a provocative tale that is somewhat marred by an overemphasis on peripheral issues related to the trial of omalus boss cyril wecht, yet it will attract a large audience owing to the upcoming film concussion starring will smith. The film, written and directed by peter landesman and largely based on jeanne marie laskas gq article game brain, centers on dr. Although the film claims merely to be based on real events, it has been criticized for inaccuracies. Omalu will smith speaks about cte and the dangers of playing football at a nflpa conference.
Bennet omalus battle against the nfl is classic david and goliath stuff, and jeanne marie laskas. Download pdf concussion read epub by jeanne marie laskas. Oscarnominated actor will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the true story of forensic neuropathologist bennet. Will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs. Concussion by jeanne marie laskas is part true crime thriller, part medical mystery and. Omalu, a practitioner who has such pride in his profession that he corrects people who refer to him as mister with doctor, but who is so kindhearted, brilliant.
Concussion depicts the story of a neuropathologist, dr. Bennet omalu will smith explains the degenerative brain disease chronic traumatic. The truth about will smiths concussion and bennet omalu. Supersummary, a modern alternative to sparknotes and cliffsnotes, offers highquality study guides that feature detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, quotes, and essay topics.
296 981 361 119 580 776 513 106 645 159 1143 1280 300 1241 667 1170 1524 32 1300 969 714 182 125 825 85 888 1498 935 887 286 1290 870 873 1286 868 230 1218 906 593 173 597 579 267 1434 548 535