There is also no mention of this in the concussion book that expands upon. Omalu told her about a day in september 2002, when, in a dingy morgue in downtown pittsburgh, he picked up a scalpel and made a discovery that would rattle america in ways he. Book details concussion damage in the nfl research shows that late nfl football player andre waters had brain damage. A harrowing subject for a film, then, but somehow landesman who also wrote the screenplay never manages to turn it into a gripping movie. Concussion on dvd march 29, 2016 starring albert brooks, will smith, alec baldwin, gugu mbatharaw. 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, 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. Jeanne marie laskas is the author of seven books, including concussion, hidden america, and the exact same moon.
Concussion movie vs true story of bennet omalu, mike webster. Joining concussion in this years awards season race is spotlight. Several pitt brain scientists are featured in a new book, concussion, by author. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesnt. 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. A practical guide to recovering from traumatic brain injuries by dr. Will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs. Omalus childhood in nigeria, his battle with chronic depression, his emigration to the u. See actions taken by the people who manage and post content. Surprisingly poignant, executed well, and maturely conveyed, concussion is a surprising film.
Concussion appears to be based on both an article and a book, but, if thats too confusing, the most important thing to remember is that concussion is based on the true story of dr. Concussion editor talks about balancing artistic license. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. They argue that kids, parents and coaches are part of a matrix that can either create a joyful youth sports environment, or a nasty stew of. There is some hollywood license taken in concussion, which varied from the book by the same title upon which it is based. Everything you need to know about concussion movie 2015. Jeanne marie laskas first met the young forensic pathologist dr. The movie version, starring will smith, is scheduled for a christmas day release. I think its great that theyre making an effort but think about the basic physics of the brain, said jeanne marie laskas, who wrote the book concussion, on. With the release of concussion on december 25, heres a look at the real story of dr. With will smith, alec baldwin, albert brooks, david morse. An evidence based approach surveys the research on this disorder. The movie,concussion, which will premiere nationwide late in december is based on the true story of a nigerian immigrant who, as a neuropatholgist working in a medical examiners lab in.
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 pennsylvania with her husband and two children. 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. Most people recover completely following concussion, also known as mild traumatic brain injury, but some continue to have postconcussion syndrome symptoms for months or. Of course, landesman knew concussion, based on the true story of dr. The 2015 film concussion, which is nominated for an mtv movie award in the true story category, stars will smith as dr. New york times bestseller now a major motion picture starring will smith, concussion is the riveting, unlikely story of dr. I had the opportunity to see the movie concussion and read the book by jeanne marie laskas on which the film was based. Omalus emotional quest puts him at dangerous odds with one of the most powerful. The film isnt based on an article, but on a series of stories in the boston globe that highlighted the catholic churchs child. Bennet omalus battle against the nfl is classic david and goliath stuff, and jeanne marie laskasone of my favorite writers on earth. However, the 2008 meeting in zurich abandoned the simple.
Author of concussion talks about her book, the movie and. For sports lovers, the christmas day film from writerdirector peter landesman, based on a true story, has troubling implications for a major u. Using the example of ruettiger, whose experience as a notre dame football walkon inspired the 1994 film, rudy, the authors rail against disrespectful behavior in sports, at any level. The film follows the exploits of a married lesbian woman who gets in to prostitution, for complicated. Will smith and peter landesman in concussion 2015 gugu mbatharaw in. This important book is based on a 2009 article laskas wrote for gq, as is a forthcoming film. Bennet omalu and his battle to raise awareness about the issue of brain damage in retired nfl players. Will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible. At least 41 systems measure the severity, or grade, of a mild head injury, and there is little agreement about which is best.
In the film, omalu, portrayed by will smith, is the central character. What i liked this book was such an unexpected surprise for me. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn pathologist who brought the issue of brain damage in retired nfl. Concussion movie tiein edition audiobook by jeanne. 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. The truth about will smiths concussion and bennet omalu.
Is the will smith movie concussion based on a true story. The film concussion deals with that on going drama just fine as it follows the. In november and december 20, two more nfl concussion films were in development. Its the movies most dramatic scene and one that, taken at face value, has some terrifying implications. Concussion the movie concussion the movie will smith stars in concussion, a dramatic thriller based on the incredible true david vs. Pitt scientists featured in book and ridley scott movie on concussion. A third of the way through, football had been mentioned only once.
Bennet omalu uncovers the truth about brain damage in football players who suffer repeated concussions in the course of normal play. 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. Omalus played by actor will smith in the movie this book is based on, concussion. Starring will smith, alec baldwin, albert brooks, david morse based on the. Concussion is a 2015 american biographical sports drama film directed and written by peter. Bennet omalu in 2009, while reporting a story for gqthat would go on to inspire the movie concussion. If you like a little sports drama during the holiday season and dont feel like watching another rocky movie then you may want to catch a showing of concussion, due out christmas day. Six things concussion the movie wont tell you but brain experts. Download pdf concussion read epub by jeanne marie laskas. In an effort to simplify, the 2nd international conference on concussion in sport, meeting in prague in 2004, decided that these systems should be abandoned in favor of a simple or complex classification. Bennet omalu, a nigerianborn forensic pathologist known for his seminal research on chronic traumatic encephalopathy cte, a degenerative brain disease largely found in people who have sustained repetitive brain trauma.
Her writing has appeared in gq, esquire, the new york times magazine, o. The real doctors behind concussion movie, bennet omalu. Looking back on some of your work, specifically concussion, the insider and last years the imitation game, theres a trend. The headsup on sport concussionis a concise introductory book on sport concussion for professionals who work with athletes. Read excerpts from the book in the atlantic and the wall street journal.
That discovery and its aftermath are the basis for jeanne marie laskas latest book, concussion. Concussion, same name as the film, reads like a novel. Yes, im attracted to movies that are about unsung heroes, and. Bennet omalu, a forensic pathologist who fights against. With the release of concussion on december 25, heres a look at the. Download pdf concussion free online new books in politics. According to concussion, omalus work on chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or cte. Both motion picture and book are based on laskas 2009 gq article game brain.
Advance praise for concussion a gripping medical mystery and a dazzling portrait of the young scientist no one wanted to listen to. Peter landesman, jeanne marie laskas based on the gq article game brain. Bennet omalu and director peter landesman on the set of the movie concussion. She did this in part by taking photos, a strategy that omalu says was very valuable. Bennet omalu, a pathologist who becomes embroiled in a battle with the nfl. Yes, but this occurred later, after he began ordering too many slides. I was astounded by what i learned regarding the nfl and its apparent denial. Landesman to write and direct a movie based on laskass gq article. Concussion, the movie, may change way football is played. Bennet omalu, a pathologist who becomes embroiled in a.
Omalus new book released august 8, truth doesnt have a side, chronicles his journey from a wartorn nigerian childhood to his quest to. Concussion book they were dating when omalu made his initial discoveries, and according to jeanne marie laskass gq article on which the film is based, prema helped omalu with his research, documenting his work as he examined the brain samples of former nfl players that were sent to him by their loved ones. Bennet omalu in 2009, while reporting a story for gq that would go on to inspire the movie concussion. The doctor who inspired the movie concussion truth doesn. I think its great that theyre making an effort but think about the basic physics of the brain, said jeanne marie laskas, who wrote the book concussion, on which the movie is based.
566 357 88 1012 868 1214 1138 884 834 536 815 234 8 447 1288 959 1254 726 19 266 748 115 970 1481 376 1282 655 1461 486 1141 857 578 677 57 555 570 1586 762 916 292 374 813 972 1031 1193 471 801