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THE HURRICANE Send This Review to a Friend
The rousing film "The Hurricane" is a powerful drama based on the true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the boxer who, along with John Artis, was railroaded to prison in New Jersey for a murder he didn't commit. Denzel Washington gives a tremendous performance as Carter, an acting job surely worthy of an Oscar and any other award in sight. Norman Jewison directed the film with maximum impact, and it towers among Jewison's very best works, which include such memorable achievements as "The Cincinnati Kid," "In the Heat of the Night" and "A Soldier's Story."
Gripping from start to finish, "The Hurricane" not only offers a deeply personal portrait of Carter, but it delves into the commitment of a group of Canadians who came forward to help battle for the boxer's eventual release. It is both an inspirational story and a fierce expose of the racism that took hold when Carter and Artis were convicted for a barroom shooting in Paterson, N.J. on false testimony and rigged evidence. Initially they came under suspicion because they were black and the result was ruined lives and nearly 20 years of imprisonment. It took a federal judge to finally undo the corrupt verdict in the New Jersey court system.
I have read material that maintains the film tampers with the facts by applying too much weight to the role played by Carter's Canadian supporters and that it fails to reveal the true depths of the racism and corruption involved. But this is a fictional treatment, not a documentary, and whatever liberties have been taken in the screenplay by Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon, the end result is a wrenching and totally engrossing human drama that reveals the depths of suffering by Carter and the passion of those who were determined to undo a wrong. The subplot of the film, Carter's inspiration in helping to change the life of a young black man who became smitten with the victim's book "The 16th Round" and in his growth through meeting and helping Carter is also immensely moving.
Jewison stresses the brutality of Carter in the boxing ring in establishing his strength, which helped him endure prison life, and the director also emphasizes the toll doing time takes on the spirit. There are innumerable sensitive scenes, especially Carter's initial meeting with the Canadians and his prison visits with his wife. Rod Steiger makes an important, authoritative appearance as the stern judge who finally hears what is depicted as a last chance, all-or-nothing appeal. The entire supporting cast is effective, including Vicellous Reon, John Hannah, Deborah Unger, Liev Schreiber, and Dan Hedaya.
This is one of those don't-miss pictures of the year, certainly one of year's best. Jewison has performed the double feat of mobilizing our emotions on the side of justice and making a movie that clicks as tough, dramatic entertainment. It also is the best vehicle for Denzel Washington that he has had in his already impressive career. A Universal release.
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