CONCUSSION

“Concussion” is based on a true story. It is a dramatic thriller that focuses on Dr. Bennet Omalu (Will Smith), the brilliant forensic pathologist (from Nigeria) who discovered CTE (chronic traumatic encephalopathy), a progressive degenerative brain disease, while performing an autopsy on football great Mike Webster. When Dr. Omalu learned that “Iron Mike” suffered from cognitive and intellectual impairment, destitution and mood disorders, and died when he was only fifty, he determined that his brain was in fact injured, and these injuries were caused by repeated head trauma over time during football practice, as well as while playing the physically aggressive game. When more former professional football players developed similar dementia-type symptoms and died relatively young, Dr. Omalu published his findings and was determined to make the NFL aware of the dangers caused by repeated blows to the head.

An initial NFL attempt to cover up his findings, a supportive medical supervisor (played superbly by Albert Brooks), validation and assistance from well-known and respected Neurosurgeon Dr. Julian Bailes (a laid back but strong Alec Baldwin), and a sweet romance between Dr. Omalu and a young nurse from Kenya (gorgeous Gugu Mbatha-raw) – who he marries, “Concussion” is by far one of the best movies of the year. It meets all of my criteria for an intelligent and engaging story, great acting, and a perfect mix of entertainment and education.

CAST: Will Smith (Dr. Bennet Omalu) , David Morse (Mike Webster), Alec Baldwin (Dr. Julian Bailes), Gugu Mbatha-Raw (Prema Mutiso), Arliss Howard (Dr. Joseph Maroon), Paul Reiser (Dr. Elliot Pellman), Luke Wilson (Roger Goodell), Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (Dave Duerson), Albert Brooks (Dr. Cyril Wecht)

Written and Directed by Peter Landesman, based on article by Jeanne Marie Laskas in GQ Magazine. Film Produced by: Ridley Scott, Giannina Scott, David Wolthoff, Larry Shuman, Elizabeth Cantillon. Executive Producers: Michael Schaefer, David Crockett, Ben Waisbren, Bruce Berman, Greg Basser

SyndicatedNews.NET has been following the brain damage caused by head concussions from direct blows

• The news article about Roger Goodell’s defiance when told that the repeated blows to the brain caused certain death.
  

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• Medical proof that the concussions received by NFL players were creating definite brain damage.
  

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• Dan Marino ‘opted out’ of the “NFL brain damage law suit.”
  

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