The film may be manipulative in its construction and

The film may be manipulative in its construction, and clich?-ridden in some of the incidents it recounts, but it has a good, large heart. For all of its hermetic dramatic license, The Great Debators hits its emotional marks with help from Forest Whitaker and a talented ensemble cast that includes Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, and newcomer Denzel Whitaker. Great Debaters dvd It goes down easy, has some great scenes, and knows how to tug on the heartstrings. But unlike its characters, it settles for less. For all of its hermetic dramatic license, The Great Debators hits its emotional marks with help from Forest Whitaker and a talented ensemble cast that includes Nate Parker, Jurnee Smollett, and newcomer Denzel Whitaker. The real trick is determining where Washington is more proficient - in front or behind the camera. As the director, Denzel Washington brings no special stylistic flourish to the film, instead placing himself at the straightforward service of the Oprah Winfrey-produced story.