This Film was Robbed

Rating: 9/10 (30 July 2000)

Going into my viewing of The Hurricane, I didn't really know what to expect. I knew that Denzel Washington's performance would probably be stellar as usual (has this guy EVER made a poor showing in a film?), but I wondered whether the general arguments as to whether the film was based more on fact or fiction would drag it down somewhat. Well, after having now seen the film, I am left rather speechless. The Hurricane, though unnominated for Best Picture of 1999, was in all probability just that. The fact that the Academy didn't even deem it worthy of a nomination is pretty telling of the level of injustices that the performances in this film received. Denzel Washington as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter was beyond stellar. I simply can't recall more moving or compelling acting than what Washington provides here. He was clearly the Best Actor of any film in 1999, and his performance here was probably the best example I've seen in the past 5 years of the Best Actor category. Enough of the injustices at the hands of the Academy. Simply put, The Hurricane is a tremendous film. I didn't once during the 2 hours and 26 minute running time look at my watch, and I was actually moved to tears more than once. This is a powerful movie, a shining example of the terrible injustices that can befall a person due to his ethinc origin during the explosive 60's. It should be required viewing for everyone, not just for the lessons it teaches, but for the performance by Denzel Washington and the direction of Norman Jewison. A 10 in every regard.