Concussion (2015)
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A forensic pathologist battles the NFL to expose the devastating neurological consequences of professional football.
The story
In 2002, the death of retired Pittsburgh Steelers center Mike Webster leads forensic pathologist Bennet Omalu to discover evidence of severe neurotrauma. Omalu identifies a degenerative brain disease he terms chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) caused by repeated head blows in football. Despite publishing his findings, Omalu faces intense opposition from the NFL, which seeks to suppress the research. As Omalu persists, he faces personal threats, political pressure, and professional retaliation, eventually being forced to relocate his family and career away from Pittsburgh.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After discovering CTE in Mike Webster's brain, Bennet Omalu publishes his research but is met with hostility from the NFL. He discovers similar symptoms in other deceased players like Justin Strzelczyk, Terry Long, and Andre Waters. When Omalu tries to present his findings to an NFL player safety committee, he is barred, and his former colleague Julian Bailes is forced to present instead. The NFL dismisses the findings, and Omalu faces harassment, including a racially charged confrontation with Dave Duerson and threats of deportation. Forced to move to California, Omalu eventually sees vindication when Duerson commits suicide, leaving a note acknowledging Omalu's research. Omalu eventually addresses an NFLPA conference, urging the league to take responsibility. The film concludes with the NFL facing lawsuits and growing Congressional scrutiny regarding the risks of CTE.
- First release year
- 2015
- Runtime (minutes)
- 122
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Peter Landesman
- Writers
- Peter Landesman · writer; Jeanne Marie Laskas · source material writer
- Cast and characters
- Will Smith · Bennet Omalu; Alec Baldwin · Julian Bailes; Gugu Mbatha-Raw · Prema; Arliss Howard · Roger Goodell; Paul Reiser · Cyril Wecht; Luke Wilson · Steven DeKosky; David Morse · Dave Duerson; Albert Brooks · null
- Genres
- biographical; sports drama; thriller
- Themes
- Medical ethics; Corporate suppression; Consequences of sports; Persistence
- Tone and mood
- Serious; Dramatic; Biographical
- Premise and plot tags
- True Story; Medical Drama; Sports; Conspiracy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Game Brain by Jeanne Marie Laskas (2009)
- Content notes
- Suicide; Miscarriage
- Reception
- The film received mixed reviews and was considered a box office disappointment due to its production budget and the star's status.
- Production trivia
- The film received $14.3 million in film tax credits from Pennsylvania.; The production was inspired by Ridley Scott's idea of an NFL concussion film.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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