While it does feature the word great in its title, "The Great Debaters" settles for being merely watchable. This fact-based drama is well-intentioned but gets a little bogged down in the details.It doesn't help that the film is about college debate — which is definitely not a thrill-a-minute prospect and may discourage some from seeing it.

Still, there are redeeming aspects, not the least of which is the rousing finale and the always terrific Denzel Washington, who stars in and also directed the Depression-era film. Washington plays Melvin Tolson, a professor at Wiley College, a black university in Texas.

Tolson heads up Wiley's debate team, and his new recruits include James (Denzel Whitaker), the son of another Wiley professor (played by Whitaker's real-life father, Forest) and the strong-willed Samantha (Jurnee Smollett). They join Henry (Nate Parker), a self-destructive but intelligent fellow student whose developing relationship with Samantha threatens the team, especially since James also has a major crush on her.

Too often the film seems more interested in making a statement than in developing characters or telling a story. A major subplot concentrates on Melvin's activities as a union organizer, which is interesting, but it's a distraction.

Fortunately, Washington is a very strong presence, and as director he gets some strong performances from his cast. The younger actors are all very good, Denzel Whitaker in particular. (Though his father steals a few scenes.)
The one exception is John Heard. His turn as a stereotypical racist sheriff is every bit as one-note as you'd expect.