A Powerhouse Performance in the Powerful Hurricane

Rating: Null/10 (16 January 2000)

Having seen approximately 90% of the quality films of 1999, three performances by a lead actor stick in my mind, Kevin Spacey (American Beauty), Russell Crowe (The Insider) and now Denzel Washington as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, the boxer who was immortalized in one of Bob Dylan's best songs "The Hurricane". Of those three wonderful performances, I give the nod to the hugely talented and charismatic actor, Washington, who gives a stunning and towering performance as the boxer who was falsely imprisoned for 20 years for the killing of three white people in a New Jersey bar in 1966. This is an Oscar worthy performance of the highest caliber in a powerful film that focuses on racism, political corruption and sheer determination of the human spirit.
Norman Jewison has done a fabulous job of chronicling the tragic life of the great boxer nicknamed "The Hurricane". After being falsely convicted due to a corrupt and racist detective (Dan Hedaya), Carter (Denzel Washington) is sent to prison where he spent 20 years for a crime that he did not commit. Many people, including celebrities such as Ellen Burstyn and Bob Dylan came to his aid, but to no avail. It was not until a young boy (Vicellous Reon Shannon), who became captivated by his story and a trio of Canadian activists that started the ball rolling in full gear that eventually led to his release from prison. While the film is expertly directed with some great black and white fight scenes and the handling of the back and forth time frame, the film does not dig deep enough to explore the issue of racial injustice within the judiciary system during the 60's. It basically uses the racist detective (who is the motivating factor) as the only one involved in this tragic display of injustice. Also the Canadian trio (Hannah, Unger, Schreiber) are a little too righteous and squeaking clean and made out to look like they were the only ones who brought this whole travesty to justice. Regardless, you cannot take away the power of this film or the performance of Washington.
Young Shannon as the black youth Lesra who strikes a bond with Carter does a nice job, the great character actor Hedaya as the racist detective is purely despicable and Rod Steiger who appears briefly as a judge makes up for his appearance in the awful "End of Days". But this picture belongs entirely to Denzel Washington. Washington who has played larger than life characters before as Malcolm X in Spike Lee's 1992 film and South African martyr Steven Biko in "Cry Freedom" gives the performance of his career that should garner him an Oscar. This is a very powerful performance of a man who held onto his dignity throughout his entire ordeal and never let the system beat him down, it is truly inspiring. Washington is strong, moving and explosive throughout; it is this year's best performance in an outstanding year of acting. This is a case of the role and actor coming together for a flawless fit that just ignites the screen.
At 45 years of age, Washington who worked out to fine tune his physical appearance has a body that would put a twenty-something to shame. Washington is one of our top actors today who for the most part gives great performances, but his turn as "The Hurricane" will literally blow you away. Like fellow actor George Clooney, Denzel Washington's career started as a doctor in the brilliant hospital TV series St. Elsewhere in the 80's. Check out one of this year's best pictures that display an actor at the height of his career. Highly Recommend. × × × × out of 5