The Hurricane (1999)

The Hurricane (1999): Dir: Norman Jewison / Cast: Denzel Washington, Vicellous Reon Shannon, Deborah Kara Unger, Dan Hedaya, John Hannah: Based on the true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter who spent most of his life in prison for the murder of three people. His ring name is Hurricane in the sport of boxing but it also mirrors his emotions, which is fueled by rage. The film spans from his troubled childhood where theft led to his initial encounter with the law. Central plot regards his innocence and his ability to go unbroken from the corrupt system that placed him there. Director Norman Jewison dealt with racial issues before in films such as In the Heat of the Night. He presents boxing footage in appropriate black and white. Powerful performance by Denzel Washington as Carter whose patience for corruption payoff in the form of Vicellous Reon Shannon as the ghetto kid who reads his biography and determined to set him free. This will land a predictable conclusion that holds question as to how much is accurate. Deborah Kara Unger plays one of Shannon's foster parents who assists him. Where the film goes wrong is its representing of the villain cop, played by Dan Hedaya seen more as a bad guy than an actual personality. It never examines this issue beyond the basic finger-pointing agenda while strong arguments can equal stronger content. Compelling film about race and justice. Score: 8 ½ / 10

This is a story about a boxer (Denzel Washington) who could almost become one of the greatest boxer of history. But become of racism he was sent to prison officially cuz of a crime with his best friend which he did not commit. He stays in prison till a young Canadian man finds his some book and contacts him. Here starts a great friendship and the young man with the help of his family tries to get Denzel out of the prison. Denzel Washington's unforgettable performance in this fight for freedom will make you cry.Kevin Spacey did a great job in American Beauty but I thought Denzel really deserved the Oscar for his stunning display. The Hurricane is still a wonderful, heartfelt drama that will leave you touched by the power of the human spirit.The story is impressive, Rubin Carter's and Denzel Washington's performance is outstanding. I would say this is Washington's best performance from his entire life. I have to mention that technically movie is too much packed. It should have been longer but I guess there is some restrictions when ready for realize.First part is even more emotionally strong and the second was a little less interesting as even thou it's a real story still seemed to be a bit made up.You really get to know "The Hurricane", all the hard times he had been through, and his amazing character of a powerful man. There is so much more shown in the movie than the trailer shows.

The story is so strong, and it being a factual one only makes it even stronger. It's like that if you've already watched IMDb's number 1 movie of the Top 250, The Shawshank Redemption, and thought that was a great movie, I think you will enjoy this movie at least just the same. I like the earlier story flow style of back and forth. The movie puts enough duration to draw the background, not just to the main story but also to the root of the hatred and Rubin's childhood. The dramatization is just enough without have to be too graphic to depict the needed crucial details. The screenplay and the dialog are also nice and compact, not wasting any unnecessary moments yet without sacrificing anything essential. Denzel Washington did a good job here, and I think he would've been very much honored to have played his role here. Having Unger, Hannah and Schreiber here is also quite a nice work considering that this movie is one of their first big works.

Rubin "Hurricane" Carter (Denzel Washington) was a prize fighter. In 1966, he was arrested and convicted for a mass shooting at a bar in Paterson, New Jersey. Vindictive police detective Della Pesca (Dan Hedaya) has been after him since he was 11. With falsified evidence and rampant racism, Carter and his friend get locked up for 3 life terms. He sets about writing his biography which is eventually published. Then 7 years later in Toronto, student Lesra (Vicellous Reon Shannon) finds his biography in a pile of used books. He's a poor student from Brooklyn who is given a chance to study in Canada. With the biography, he starts a long journey to get Carter's release and his good name back with the help of his mentors Lisa (Deborah Kara Unger), Sam (Liev Schreiber) and Terry (John Hannah).It's a very standard biopic from Norman Jewison. Carter's story is never in doubt. Most people would know the ending to the movie. So the tension is not that high. The investigation isn't that exciting. It's no John Grisham novel. However there is a compelling story, and a very compelling performance from Denzel Washington. He is exceptional in this as in many of his performances. There is also a nice side story of a young man who finds purpose in life.