Superb stuff

Rating: 8/10 (30 January 2001)

Norman Jewison's name on a film is a hallmark of quality. That certainly is true here. A brilliantly conceived and creatively produced film that handles immensely emotional material without sinking into bathos. Denzel Washington was the perfect choice to play Reuben Carter. The black and white ring flashbacks, evocative of the old newsreels, are immensely effective. Jewison has tampered with the facts, mainly by omission. But a great director is entitled to a bit of cinematic licence. And how nice for once to see Toronto represented as Toronto instead of as a stand in for some US city. This is a film well worth seeing.