Freedom Spirit re-kindled

Rating: 7/10 (14 March 2009)

In the boxing genre, this film does not get to classic proportions like The Raging Bull, but the story is more inspirational. It has a class message about freedom. Director Norman Jewison does a fine job of framing that on the screen.
Denzell Washington is a great choice to play Carter. Washington is a very talented actor who brings a sense of realism to every role he does. He worked very hard on this film, over a year in boxing coaching alone along with shedding 40 pounds to play the role. It is interesting that the film uses his performance as Malcom X in 1992 as a cameo in this film. Washington actually has two roles here briefly.
The story does stray at sections from the reality as it happened. Rubin Carter was not quite as saintly as this film makes him out to be. While the film stays away from the things Carter actually did do, it places a square emphasis on what he didn't do, but spent many years in prison for. The drama in the late court room sequence with an aged Rod Steiger doing a good job as judge, is very well staged.
The DVD set of Washington films recently released with this and Malcom X is definitely worth spending so time with. There are 4 films in the set with extras for each film. The extras for this feature some significant information about this film and a fair interview with the real Hurricane Carter.