The Hurricane

Movie Title: The Hurricane

Official Website (it might still work): The Hurricane

Rating (out of 10): 9

Buy the: Video/DVD | Soundtrack

The Review:

"This is the story of the Hurricane," with the undeniable Dillon lyrics in the background, setting the mood. "The Hurricane," starring Denzel Washington (The Bone Collector) and directed by Norman Jewison tells the story of a boxer, Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, who was imprisoned for three murders he did not commit. This movie was not an all star cast. Outside of the superb acting of Denzel, only a few recognizable actors were present. Denzel was so convincing as Rubin Carter that this flick did not need an all star cast. As for the plot, I never heard of the story of the Hurricane, I know very little about boxing or even care for the sport, nor was I around at the time of his initial incarceration. So I had to believe this version of the story. In the beginning of the movie, it was hard to follow because it kept jumping around from year to year and even decades. Once we were knee deep in the story though, the plot was so intense it moved me. I could see and even smell the surroundings. Now that was some powerful dramatization. The lyrics of Dillon kept me enthralled and rooting for justice to prevail. A powerful scene that exemplifies the believability of the character was when Carter refused to wear the prison clothes, of a guilty man. He would serve the time but he "won't wear the clothes of a guilty man." The warden had him locked in "the hole" for 90 days. You know the saying, "the suit makes the man?" Well the person that coined that phrase never met Denzel. Denzel entered the hole wearing a fabulous suit. After 90 days in a dank cell without a shower or fresh clothes, he emerged wearing that rumpled, filthy, fetid suit. I mean you could see the stench coming from that suit. Right before our eyes the dignity of Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter emerged, as he buttoned up his shirt, tied his tie and put on the jacket. The man made that suit. I usually go for movies with a lot of action or explosions, and if I can't have that I like to see the cute perky butt of the leading male role. Well I did not get a lot of action, only a few boxing scenes and a triple murder, no explosions and the only butt's I saw did not belong to Denzel. What I did get was a convincing dramatic story line that moved me to tears more than once, a performance by Denzel that should win him an award and an eye opening view of what prejudice and hate can do. I give this movie nine couches out of 10, because I did not get to see Denzel's butt.