The Rocket (2005)
In the late 1930s, a young machinist named Maurice Richard distinguished himself as a ice hockey player of preternatural talent. Although that was enough to get him into the Montreal Canadiens, his frequent injuries cost him the confidence of his team and the fans. In the face of these doubts, Richard eventually shows the kind of aggressive and skillful play that would make him one of the greatest players of all time as "The Rocket." However for all his success, Richard and his fellow French Canadians face constant discrimination in a league dominated by the English speaking. Although a man of few words, Richard begins to speak his own mind about the injustice which creates a organizational conflict that would culminate in his infamous 1955 season suspension that sparks an ethnic riot in protest. In the face of these challenges, Richard must decide who exactly is he playing for.
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This was a very good movie. The main characters of Maurice Richard and Dick Irvin were portrayed very well by the actors. The movie had a very good look to replicate life in the 40's and 50's.One thing that bothered me is that Richard almost never smiled. I'm sure the man in real life had some happy moments.The hockey scenes were great and probably more realistic than any hockey movie made. The real story driving the movie though was outside of hockey as Richard tries to use his fame to better the lives of french speaking Quebeckers and also to turn the NHL establishment away from it's 'old-boy' network ways.The struggle between player and opponent suddenly becomes dwarfed by his struggle as man vs establishment. That's when the movie really takes off and yet, suddenly ends leaving you feeling a bit like the movie is not quite finished. Hence my rating of only 7 when I really wanted to give it a 8.5 or 9.
(Sorry if I made some mistakes, English isn't my first language) I have already seen Québécois film before this one and I found only the comedic ones were good. But then I had some good surprises with Québécois drama films (C.R.A.Z.Y. and Aurore) and then there was MAURICE RICHARD.Maurice Richard is one of this movie that has the ability to get me in because of the acting (other films that gets me in because of that are Schindler's List, V for Vendetta, Casino Royale and The Departed). I especially like Stephen McHattie's performance as Dick Irvin. He is one of those actors (with Jack Nicholson and Mads Mikkelsen) that have all the qualities : a wonderful look, a great voice and precise facial expressions.Other great elements about this movie are the choreographies. The hockey scenes in this movie are definitively the greatest one ever made in cinema (wich is surprising for a no-American film).One of the plots element of the film is how a simple member of the proletariat who lives in an impossible situation will become a Canadian-french hero.
Superb movie all around. Knowing the Rocket from only watching him as a hockey player, what I found most impelling was the love story between Maurice and Lucille. Much too short. Just perfect. But at the same time, would have loved to have seen more.Obviously, being a Canadian, old enough to remember the early years of Maurice Richard's professional life and the 6 team NHL from the late 40's, this movie is a no-brainer to recommend.From the very beginning, The Rocket is a scene turner. Photographed in black and white made it more realistic.Glad in part that it is in the mother language of the participants. Perhaps it would have been better if it were entirely in English, but that would have taken away from the realism. Having to continually drop my eyes to read the subtitles was of course interruptive. However, The Rocket is so well photographed and directed, that it was able to tell its story with minimal dialogue and thus prove the old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words."
This is a true biopic, depicting events that could be considered as corner stones of NHL's History as well as Hockey History. it exposes the life of the Rocket since he was a teenager. All facts are historical : the depression just before WW2, the social divisions (as those cages that surrounded an area reserved for francophones in the Forum). Most dialogs in hockey scenes are in English, as well as all those involving the team, coaches and so on, which is "by respect of historical facts" in the original french version. Actually, many dialogs are recreated as they took place (and can be verified in many biography about The Rocket), even the coach's (Irvin) "pep talks". Hockey scenes are true to reality, as the scenarios were matched with game descriptions and old clips, were reviewed by Richard himself before dying and also his wife, his children, as by Irvin sun's written and recorded testimonies and memories from his father (he was the first Mr. "Hockey Night in Canada" on CBC), reporters, and so on.About the cast, my discovery is STEPHEN McHATTIE! HE IS JUST SUPERB IN IRVIN'S ROLE. Now that's a coach!! WOW. Actually the most credible I've seen in all sports movies around. Some of you who don't know about the Rocket, could find in Roy Dupuis some kind of weird acting... But actually, he played his role to the perfection, magnificently displaying the same kind of personality and behavior the Rocket had (he had the chance to study the guy's "attitude" in person for several years). The movie also adds historical drama, like the year when the Rocket broke Malone's record, a record that most considered as impossible to surpass, and which brought some sense of Victory to the people, just month before D-Day in Normandy (feb. 1945).What you'll see in this movie, is what made such a man a true Canadian Hero, as it really was and took place during those days. It is also a true love story, about the couple Richard.