Watch Resolved

Resolved, a 2007 American documentary film, directed by Greg Whiteley, follows two high school seniors and their respective debate teams over the course of a competitive year-long debate season. The movie is an eyeopener about how the American education system is developing the competitive spirit in young students by harnessing their skills in a debate competition. It also throws light on the efforts that the debaters put in and the sacrifices they make in order to become successful as debaters.

Samuel Alito, a Supreme Court Justice and a former high school debater, is seen giving an interview in the movie, discussing his own experiences as a high school debater, which helped him to prepare for his future as a lawyer and then judge. Alito's passion for debate and encouragement of the activity as a beneficial training tool for young minds is a recurring theme throughout the movie.

The movie also features Louis Blackwell, a debater from the urban Boston Latin School, who talks about the difficulties he faces as a young African American in the debate world. He discusses the prejudices he experiences and the ways in which he has to prove himself to his white and privileged opponents. Brittany Breed, a debater from Kansas, is also an important character in the movie, and the camera follows her journey as she balances her school life, competitive debate, and family responsibilities.

The film takes the viewers through the intense and often dramatic world of high school debate as the students prepare to participate in the National Championships. They discuss topics ranging from U.S. policy on North Korea, to the rights of detainees in Guantanamo Bay. Throughout the film, the students are shown meticulously researching, crafting, and practicing arguments with their coaches, as well as traveling to various debate tournaments throughout the country.

The movie contrasts the variances of debate teams from different schools, with the urban Boston Latin School team, consisting of predominantly black students, facing off against their opponents from the predominantly white and affluent Western schools. The audience gets a glimpse into how the team from Boston faces challenging obstacles in the form of other team's bias, making it difficult for the team to make a mark.

With insightful interviews and a truly captivating display of debate skills, Resolved offers an intriguing and intellectual look into the world of competitive high school debate, showing the audience what goes on behind the scenes leading up to the final showdown in the National Championships. It confronts the economic and racial disparities of high school debate and highlights the importance of allowing students of all backgrounds to compete in and benefit from the world of competitive debate.

The movie's direction and narration are crisp, and the editing is top-notch. The documentary is an underdog story at its heart, tracing the journey of the students as they struggle to make their mark in the cut-throat world of competitive debate. The various emotions that the students display, be it their joy on victories or disappointment on shortcomings, add a touch of reality to the movie.

In conclusion, Resolved is a documentary that brings to the fore the often-overlooked world of competitive high school debate. It's informative, insightful, and inspiring, allowing the audience to witness the power of words and how a debate can shape a young mind. It's a must-watch, not just for those interested in the world of debate, but also for anyone interested in the social and economic challenges that students face in America's education system.