St. Carter

Rating: Null/10 (17 December 2001)

Why was this man not canonized? Granted, he wasn't Catholic but wasn't Reuben Carter just about the greatest guy on the planet? Or at least, this movie would have you believe.
What could have been a great, Oscar worthy film about a flawed, tortured HUMAN being is given the "Men of Honor" treatment. Contrary to what the filmakers would want you to believe, Carter was NO saint. He was a thug, a low life and from some accounts, quite a dangerous person. He may or may not have been guilty of murder (the film leaves no doubt he wasn't) but that is beside the point, because there was not enough evidence to convict him (notice he was never pardoned, never exonerated he was retried and the case was thrown out)and as regards to his boxing career, this "warrior-poet" was a journeyman at best (go see his record at cyberboxingzone.com) and he NEVER beat Joey Giardello decisively, it never happened! He was not robbed, it was a close fight. Perhaps this is the films greatest injustice. Good acting from Denzel though as usual. He almost saves this over hyped piece of tripe.