Powerful, thought-provoking drama.

Rating: 8/10 (15 October 2015)

Denzel Washington stars as Rubin 'Hurricane' Carter, an up and coming African-American boxer who lived in Paterson, New Jersey. Director Norman Jewison delivers a powerful drama that kicks you in the guts multiple times, making you empathize with the injustice of Carter's incarceration on false charges of murder.
Carter was no saint mind you. The film walks you through his youth and encounters with a certain detective Della Pesca. Carter grew up in the 1960s in a time of extreme racial prejudice, which comes through in all aspects of the story. Although this film is based on a true story, the director advises us that some characters have been made up and some activities have been fictionalized for the story. Therefore, you are not sure what is close to reality, and what is Hollywood fiction.
The story focuses on the efforts of a young kid from Brooklyn, Lesra, played very well by Vicellous Reon Shannon, to become friends with and eventually help Carter get justice. Lesra is helped by three Canadians who take him under their wings to help him. There always underlies suspicion about their motives, but the film makes it seem they simply saw this boy had potential and needed some assistance to reach it.
The film weaves you through the murder, the trial, the imprisonment, and efforts to appeal. The process drags on, for years, giving my only critique that perhaps the film could have been shorter. The anguish though, is palpable, similar to 12 Years a Slave, without the blood.
Denzel Washington is simply terrific, and won the Golden Globe Best Actor for his portrayal. He delivered so many emotions in this role, particularly during his first visit to solitary confinement where he has a battle, with himself, to basically retain his sanity, and later, his dignity. Why he did not win the Osacar, I'm not sure.
The ending will grip you, as they risk all in a life or death fight for justice. Watch for a short but important role by all-time-great, Rod Steiger, perfectly cast by the way.
At almost 2 1/2 hours, the movie runs long, but it keeps moving. There is a fine interweaving of music, particularly the song Bob Dylan wrote about the Hurricane. This is a must-see film about race, prejudice, redemption, and justice that will stay with you. Enjoy.