Men of Honor
Tags: inspiring

Plot synopsis:
The movie starts off by introducing Master Chief Leslie W. ("Billy") Sunday (Robert DeNiro), a US Navy Diver, who has recently gone AWOL. He is badly beaten and awaiting disciplinary actions. Sunday and several other Navy members watch TV coverage of an ongoing salvage operation, when Sunday recognizes a familiar face on the screen. One of the other sailors makes some crude racist jokes, Sunday attacks him and applies a choke hold.We then flash back about 25 years, where a young African-American boy named Carl Brashear (Chris Warren Jr.) is watching his father Mac (Carl Lumbly) work the plow on their farm. Carl wants to quit school so that he will be able to help work and then prevent the farm from financial ruin. Mac is dead-set against his son being "like him" and stuck working on a farm, but he allows Carl to help.Time passes quickly and a grown-up Carl (Cuba Gooding Jr.) is leaving town to join the Navy. Mac gives his son a custom-built portable radio as a memento of home, and tells Carl to be the best, even if it means breaking the rules.Carl winds up working in the kitchens on the USS Hoist in the South Pacific. He and the other black officers joke about the so-called "bright future" the Navy promised them. Their superior points out that black men in the US Navy have only 3 career choices- cook, officer's valet or "get the f*ck out of the Navy."Afterwards, Carl and his friends go up on deck where the white officers are swimming (the black crew members are assigned a specific day when they can swim). Carl, tired and hot, decides to jump in the water. The white officers try and chase him down, but Carl out-swims all of them.Carl's actions get him thrown in the brig. The ships' captain meets with Carl and, impressed with the boy's speed, decides to transfer Carl to the search & rescue swimmers, a group assigned to rescue anyone who falls overboard on ship.A few days later, Carl is writing a letter home to his parents when the ship is rocked by an apparent crash. Their mail chopper has accidentally gone down in the ocean. Carl assists the others on deck in raising a Navy Diver from the sea floor with the wounded pilot. The Diver is Master Chief Sunday. Since Sunday is now back up on deck, regulations state that he must now undergo decompression. As the next diver is lowered, an accident with the winch severs the diver's air hose. Chief Sunday prepares to do a dangerous "bounce dive" to rescue his fallen ally. One officer, Lt. Cmdr Hanks (David Conrad) orders Sunday not to go, but Sunday disobeys and jumps off ship.Later in the hospital, we see that Chief Sunday was indeed able to save the other diver, but doctors find that he has sustained a severe embolism in both lungs. This condition disqualifies Sunday from any more diving. Upon hearing this news, Sunday throws a fit, destroying some equipment in the hospital, and assaulting several of the staff. Carl is in attendance at the resulting disciplinary hearing, where Sunday is officially disqualified from further diving duty, and assigned to a training position. Carl, having seen Sunday's actions as heroic, is inspired and vows to become a Navy Master Diver.Two years later, Carl is reporting for Diving School, the same diving school where Sunday is the trainer. After a tense confrontation with Chief Sunday, he is allowed in. While most other recruits are revolted by the thought of sharing their bunk with a Negro, one Navy candidate- Snowhill (Michael Rapaport) attempts to befriend Carl. That night, Carl is subjected to severe hazing by Sunday. The following morning, Chief Sunday singles out Snowhill, throwing him out of the program for failing to complete an impossible task. His only ally alienated, Carl is once again on his own.Despite the harsh treatments, Carl performs admirably in his training, assembling machinery and adapting to the diving suit with much greater results than a large number of his classmates. Unfortunately, Carl is falling behind in the academic requirements-scoring only a 37 on his first exam. If he fails again, Carl will be kicked out of the program.One weekend, on leave, Carl comes to a library in the hopes of getting a tutor to help him. He meets a young woman named Jo (Aunjanue Ellis) who is studying medicine. She thinks that Carl cannot possibly succeed, since he has only a 7th grade education. Carl stays the entire night at the library reading and learning more about the Navy program. Next morning, Jo is so impressed by his progress that she agrees to help Carl. The two spend many evenings together, eventually developing a relationship in the process. Soon, Carl is back in the classroom awaiting the results of another test. As the exams are passed out, Carl is elated- he's scored a 76, keeping him in the program.The next day there is a training exercise, involving patching the hole in a sunken ship and raising it to the surface. All at once, the ship accidentally shifts its position, snaring the air hose on one diver while the other flees for his life. Carl volunteers to bring down a new line for the trapped diver, and after several tense seconds, Carl is able to save the young mans' life. Unfortunately, due to the prejudiced environment of the time, the diver who fled earlier receives a medal for his actions while Carl is ignored. Carl is, however, silently thanked by the recruit he saved on his way out of the school.That night, Carl is in town when he meets a young woman (Charlize Theron) who introduces herself as Gwen Sunday, the chief's wife. Gwen takes Carl into the same bar her husband and his fellow divers frequent. Carl and Sunday confront each other, whereby Carl says he knows he's better than Sunday. They face off in a competition using pressurized diving helmets to determine who can hold their breath the longest. The stakes are if Sunday wins, Carl leaves town that very night, but if Carl wins, Chief Sunday must re-admit Snowhill into the diving program. Carl manages to win, but is again overlooked for his actions. Carl sees Jo watching the confrontation with dismay as she storms out of the bar. He gives chase, and she reveals that she's been accepted into an internship and she won't have time to help Carl anymore. Carl, smitten, asks Jo to marry him. Jo contemplates driving off in a taxi, but she returns and accepts.Chief Sunday meets with Captain "Pappy," (Hal Holbrook), the eccentric senior officer at the training school. Chief Sunday states that Carl has scored a 94 on his final test, meaning that all Carl has to do is complete his last training exercise (a timed exercise), and he will have passed all requirements for graduation. Pappy is not at all happy at the prospect of a "colored diver," but Sunday seems hesitant to agree.Sunday confronts Carl yet again. After Carl fires an insult back, Sunday smashes the radio Carl's father gave him. Upon seeing Carl's fury at this, Sunday sees the inscription no the radio ASNF (a son never forgets), and Carl's father's picture by his bed. Sunday asks what his father said to make him try so hard. Carl simply states "Be the best." Sunday admits that he is, but that he shouldn't show up the following day because Pappy will not let him pass the school. Carl is furious.Next morning, Chief Sunday explains the final exercise to the recruits- they must assemble a flange underwater, pieces are on the river bottom and tools will be provided once the parts are found. They will earn points based on the speed of their work, but there is no set time limit and air will be provided to the diving suits for as long as the divers can stand the cold water. Carl makes a defiant entrance to the exercise, and is looked upon with a measure of respect from the other recruits finally.Carl is among the first to find the parts for his project, but when he calls up for tools the attendants cut a hole in the tool bag sending them cascading all over the river bottom. Carl frantically searches for all the necessary parts.As time goes by, the recruits slowly but surely complete the assignment. Carl remains in the water well into the night. The other recruits, having showered and put on warm clothes, have returned to see Carl finish. Pappy orders Sunday to leave Carl in the water until he stops moving. Sunday, however, decides that too much time has passed already and gives the order to bring Carl back up. This makes Sunday's colleagues uneasy, as it violates a direct order from Pappy. The other recruits step up, but just as they begin to haul in the lines, Carl's project flange comes to the surface, completed. After 9 hours and 31 minutes in the excruciatingly cold water, Carl Brashear has passed his final and essentially graduated with honors from Diving School.As Carl leaves the barracks next day, Snowhill runs in to talk to him. He has been asked to rejoin the diving program. He also states that Pappy has thrown Sunday out of the school as trainer. Carl also finds his father's radio, fully repaired, with "A son never forgets" freshly carved into the side.Some time later, Carl and his wife are in a nightclub. Carl orders champagne as a celebration because he's been offered a job with Brooklyn Navy Yard. Carl doesn't know if he should accept the job, since he won't move up in rank as just a stand-by diver. Jo confesses that she is three months late, and Carl is suddenly overjoyed at the prospect of being a father.At a New Years' party, Sunday and his wife run into Lt. Hanks- the man who ended Sunday's diving career. Despite his best efforts to remain civil, Sunday ends up attacking the lieutenant. Charges are filed against Sunday for assaulting a superior officer, and he suffers a rank reduction.The scene then shifts back to Chief Sunday watching a TV report explaining the current salvage operations. Earlier that day, an American B-52 bomber crashed in Spain. Before impact, it released its payload of three 50-megaton warheads on parachutes. Two have been recovered but the last one is lost at sea. Furthermore, maritime law dictates that since the bomb vanished in international waters, whoever finds it first will be considered the true owner. So the US Divers are racing against Russian submarines to be the first to find the missing nuke.Carl is one of several divers assigned to try and find the missing bomb. At one point, Carl finds a metal object on the sea floor but it turns out to be a mere Coke can. At that moment, sonar signals in the water are detected- there is a Russian submarine is Carls' immediate vicinity. Carl spots the sub and tries to run for cover, but his air line is caught by the sub and he is dragged along the ocean floor. After several tense seconds, Carl is able to contact the surface and tell them that he is unhurt. As they prepare to bring him home, Carl notices a large metal object nearby. The sub's movement has caused most of the silt and debris on the ocean floor to move aside, essentially finding the nuke for them!Back on deck, Carl watches as the bomb is brought on board. An accident with the winch on deck causes the lines holding the bomb to snap. Carl shoves several other deck hands aside, but his own leg is caught by the snapped wire.Carl wakes up later in a hospital, with Jo by his side. Jo explains that Carl's leg was nearly severed by the impact, but doctors think he will walk again. Carl realizes that this injury has put an end to his diving career and he is devastated.Meanwhile, Chief Sunday has fallen on hard times since his rank reduction. He is now in a rehab clinic undergoing detox for alcoholism. With the support of his wife, Sunday gets back on his feet. He recognizes Carl from a news story about the accident.Carl is still in the hospital, he is reading a news story that was sent to him (presumably by Sunday) about amputee pilots being able to return to duty. He speaks with his superiors (including the now-Captain Hanks). Carl wants to return to full diving duty, but they feel that it is impossible in his current state. Carl voices his desire to have the damaged leg amputated and return after a fitting with a prosthesis. Jo is furious about Carl's reckless and apparently selfish attitude, and walks out.Later, Carl's leg is indeed amputated. He begins the difficult process of learning to move and act with a prosthetic. Chief Sunday shows up and asks if he can help Carl. Sunday begins training him again, and makes a deal with Captain Hanks. He will get four weeks to complete training Carl before a medical hearing with the Chief of Naval Personnel in Washington. Hanks agrees, on the condition that Sunday take immediate retirement if and when Carl fails to return to duty.A month later, Carl appears before the Naval Personnel and they discuss his possible return. Chief Sunday has been ordered to wait outside the courtroom by Captain Hanks. Captain Hanks outlines a new requirement for Navy Divers- a new diving suit, weighing in at 290 pounds has been approved for use and anyone wanting to use it must take 12 steps unassisted. Carl, seeing that Jo and his son are in the audience, volunteers to take the 12 steps right then and there. Chief Sunday bursts into the courtroom. He is asked to leave by Hanks, but after introducing himself to some of the more senior members of the court who know of his past heroics, is allowed to stay.Chief Sunday helps Carl suit up, and then proceeds to coach him through the ordeal. Carl stands up in the new suit, and-with obvious great discomfort- takes a few clumsy steps forward. Everyone assumes that his prosthetic will snap, and as he nears failure he is ordered to stand down by Captain Hanks. Sunday orders Carl to disregard, as he is the officer in charge of this exercise. He begins shouting orders at Carl (identical to their first session at diving school years before). Carl struggles, but keeps moving forward until he has reached the twelfth step.Captain Hanks, realizing that no more can be done to prevent Carl from succeeding, announces that the Navy will be reinstating Carl Brashear to full diving duty.Carl and Sunday salute one another, and Sunday marches out of the courtroom.Text at the end reveals that in 1968, Carl Brashear was the first African-American amputee to assume Navy diving duty, and that two years after his reinstatement Carl was promoted to Master Chief. Carl continued in his Naval career for another nine years before finally taking retirement.

Review: Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) is unquestionably a man of great courage and principle, and his strength of character shines through brightly in this film.
If a director is going to make a human-interest story, he needs to humanize the characters.Cuba Gooding Jr. gives an outstanding performance as Brashear.
This is an excellent recovery from Gooding's last role in `Chill Factor', a film so dreadful that it was almost an act of professional suicide to take the part.After a stint trying his hand as a comedian (`Analyze This', `The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle', `Meet The Parents'), Robert DeNiro is back to his dramatic roots with an outstanding performance.
David Keith, who co-starred with Richard Gere in `Officer and a Gentleman', has a cameo hereThe DVD has some interesting special features, including reflections by the real Carl Brashear and some deleted scenes.I enjoyed this film despite the hackneyed plot and the one-dimensional presentation.
Much like the spirit of films like The Hurricane and Glory, Men of Honor grips us and makes us really feel for a man struggling to make his dream come true..
Men of Honor stars Cuba Gooding Jr., as real life Navy Diver Carl Brashear who defied a man's Navy to become the first African American Navy Diver.
We are shown the series of struggles from boyhood on that Brashear has to overcome to make his dream come true (and then to keep it alive.) Not the least of the challenges was Master Diver Bill Sunday (Robert DeNiro), the head trainer at the diving school the Navy sends Brashear to, who is not especially sympathetic to Brashear's goals, but who ultimately becomes an unlikely friend and supporter.This is a good movie; fast paced and with a lot of action, although not an "action" pic in the normal sense of the word.
I thought DeNiro was perhaps a bit over the top in his portrayal of Sunday (although, who knows, Sunday might well have been this extreme kind of loose cannon) and the portrayal of Sunday's wife Gwen (by Charlize Theron) also made me question whether these parts were "jazzed up" to provide entertainment value.A good movie, though.
Being put "on hold" or stuck in traffic in a car without air conditioning on a hot summer day would have been more productive and enjoyable.Carl Brashear did great things; too bad that those making the movie about him did not.
Brashear was a black Navy diver in the 1950s, who encountered racism, overcame it, became a hero while losing a leg saving the world from communism in a rescue mission, and struggled to reclaim his position as a diver.Perhaps one day they will make a movie that does the man justice.
Robert De Niro and Cuba Gooding Jnr are the shining lights in this movie and they make the film what it is,which is a very entertaining flick that could do better.
"Men of Honor" is a movie inspired by the navy career of Carl Brashear.
However, compared to many Hollywood biopics, it's pretty close to the true story of the man...and an inspiring story it is.Carl Brashear was a black man who became the first to become a certified navy diver.
So this movie is based on a true story of the hardship of one man trying to become a rescue diver in the US Navy but due to the color of his skin this proves to be impossible.
I do like DeNiro and Cuba usually and regard them as being fine actors but maybe they should read the script a little closer next time before hopping aboard...Just because the story is true and just because the issue depicted is still a problem today - not only in the states but worldwide - still does not merit any higher rating than a 5 and that mostly due to the craftsmanship of the 2 main actors..
Why are two talented actors who should know better starring in a rehash, made-for-TV-plotted film that manages to wallow in cliches and stale scenes from the onset until its thoroughly predictable, melodramatic end?Men of Honor takes the underdog-denied-a-chance-for-greatness-due-to racism-classism-or-other-ism theme and tries to make it seem fresh by incorporating this contrived and overused device in a Navy diving setting.
One day Hollywood will attempt to combine all the lackluster and overworked ideas and themes so horribly that it might make an action movie that involves a serial killer trying to reach his dream of killing more people than ever and thereby being the best but being held down by and then coached and trained by a hard-ass retired cop who ends up being a softy.
The final scene can only be watched through a cage of fingers, as cliches fall like bored stalegtites from the courtroom ceiling.Carl Brashear, deserves respect for the odds he overcame but this movie demands all our sympathy for De Niro, who must now live with both this and 'Rocky & Bullwinkle' on his CV.
If anyone wanted to know the definition of academy award performances; they can look no further than those given by Robert DeNiro and Cuba Gooding Jr. If someone wanted the definition of an academy award film; they can look no further than "Men of Honor." I was honored to be a witness to one of the greatest films ever made."Men of Honor" is one of the most courageous, emotional and touching films I've seen since "Saving Private Ryan." Along with "The Perfect Storm" and "Pay It Forward," "Men of Honor" is an example of a film which made me feel good on the inside as well as the outside.
Furthermore, this film is true testament to the courage and bravery men and women like Carl Brashear show in the line of duty."Men of Honor" is one of the finest films I've seen in the past year because it has two of the best actors and the best ensemble cast since "The Perfect Storm." "Men of Honor" CANNOT be missed under any circumstances because it is a testament to the human spirit and one man's unrelenting quest to accomplish his dream."Men of Honor" profiles the life of the first black navy diver and his inspirational, courageous, and unrelenting quest in becoming the best navy diver in the United States by achieving the status of master diver.
Carl Brashear is the true definition of an American hero because he embodies unwillingness to give up in the face of hard times.It was a true pleasure and inspiration to watch "Men of Honor" because it afforded me the opportunity to learn a valuable history lesson; the knowledge I gained from this film will stay with me for life."Men of Honor" is a film that boasts one of the greatest compilation of talent in Hollywood.
Hollywood's intimidator Robert DeNiro leads this all-star cast that includes Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlize Theron, Anjunue Ellis, David Keith, Michael Rappaport and Hal Holbrook.
His performance as Billy Sunday is his best in his career because he puts his whole heart and soul into this film.From "What Dreams May Come" to "As Good As It Gets," Gooding's repertoire grows and his star is sure to stay on the rise.
With his stage presence, talent, class, honesty and sophistication, Gooding rises to the top of his class and becomes one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood.Gooding's role as Carl Brashear is one of the most inspiring and uplifting performances I have ever come across on film.
It is with roles like Carl Brashear that will win him many academy awards and a bright future in film."Men of Honor" is a beautifully crafted, well-acted masterpiece that will leave everyone with smiles on their faces.
DeNiro and Gooding come together as one to make a movie, which is a true testament to the human spirit and courage.The writers deserve most of the credit for a screenplay with rich quality and adding depth to the characters.
It is great to watch a film that allows the viewer to see each character in the film developed to the fullest as "Men of Honor" did.This film is most likely the greatest 'based on a true story' film that has been made in America.
But it certainly is not anything special, especially for a film with Robert Deniro as cast.The Good Points'Robert De Niro' He does play the most interesting character of the film and without him i don't think i would have bothered to watch it from reading other peoples opinions.
A mere two hours and a few minutes wouldn't satisfy our craving for more.Nonetheless, Cuba Gooding Jr. and DeNiro give great performances, with a few chuckles along the way to give it soul and being lighthearted.It may not be a perfect movie, but it's honorable, and the best drama this year.
This well-acted story of the end of segregation in the military is told through the true experiences of Carl Brashear.Ultimately it is a story of human honor and dignity triumphing over small mindedness, bureaucracy, and prejudice.
T. The inspiring story of Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), a black man who grew up in poverty in Kentucky and then joined the US Navy, aspiring to be the first black Master Diver in Navy history.
T. The inspiring story of Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), a black man who grew up in poverty in Kentucky and then joined the US Navy, aspiring to be the first black Master Diver in Navy history.
We are shown the series of struggles from boyhood on that Brashear has to overcome to make his dream come true (and then to keep it alive.) Not the least of the challenges was Master Diver Bill Sunday (Robert DeNiro), the head trainer at the diving school the Navy sends Brashear to, who is not especially sympathetic to Brashear's goals, but who ultimately becomes an unlikely friend and supporter.loved Cuba in this film.
This movie is also very familiar to the military formula of other films in recent history (from "An Officer and a Gentleman" to the horrible "G.I. Jane") and has a very "powerful" Hollywood meaning about morality, honesty and the dreams that all come true only because of our will.
Cuba is good (even though I disliked his character when he decided to cut his leg only to continue diving!), Theron has a limited screen appearance (and she doesn't match at all as Chief Sunday's wife) and of course De Niro (in a role seems to exist only for him) delivers a stellar performance as the southern trainer and master diver (maybe his last great performance till now).
The movie is the life story of Carl Brashear, the first black to enter the diving school.
The plot isn't too well built and i disliked the fact that it began from a point somewhere in the middle of the movie.All these bad points are covered by the way de Niro and Cuba Gooding act.
Men of Honor is a good true story of the first African-American to become Navy a diver.
"Billy" Sunday " Robert De Niro (Awakenings, The Deer Hunter) rips Carl's tool bag that has all the necessary instruments that Carl needs to assemble the flange in order to pass the test, it accurately depicts some of what I have seen people going through.The movie stuck a cord with me also because is my husband was a Navy Ship Salvage Diving Officer and had to endure that same kind of testing.
Cuba has been coming into his own in his recent films.I thought this movie was good in every way except that it drug on at points.De Niro and Gooding play off each other very well in this one.I give it an eight..
finale.BUT...what undercuts all of that - and thus makes the film well worth seeing - is the fact that however many liberties have been taken the real truth, however many characters have been elided into one and however sanitised this film is you can't avoid the issue of race and the appalling racism that this man faced.As with many such stories one can argue that the men involved are fools, in a sense, to devote themselves, their lives and their families lives (effectively) to such unworthy `causes'.
Carl Brashear (Gooding Jr.) is the first black trainee and despite the racism and prejudice of his fellow trainees and Sunday himself, Brashear is determined to pass.The strength of the film undoubtedly lies with the quality of the acting.
De Niro is excellent as the hard-hitting, alcoholic Sunday, making Anne Robinson look as frightening as the Andrex puppy.Cuba Gooding Jr. shows his range of talents also, proving that he can perform a toned down role as well as the loud-mouthed footballer he played in Jerry McGuire.
The entire film shows us an organisation that just 30 years ago denied a man a position solely due to the colour of his skin, an organisation that systematically discriminated at every level against an African American's desire to serve his country, and one that promoted an individual that was prepared to see a man die rather than pass a course.If there is a hero in this movie....this story, then it is Master Chief Leslie W.
The captain causes trouble for him.Then, when it is just within reach, a tragic accident becomes the ultimate test of his courage.However Carl never gives up trying to make his dream come true.This is the inspiring true story of one man at war with adversity.I would recommend this as an entertaining film showing the triumph of the human spirit and honor of all humanity..
It also does it at the cost of insulting some of the finest men and women our country has produced, those who truly have honor and serve in the US military.The other problem is how Cuba Gooding Jr. portrays Brashears.
If it hadn't been for this film about Carl Brashear, the first african-american to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, I may never have known who this man was.
In one great scene after another, we watch Carl (Cuba Gooding Jr.) defy the rules and find the courage to accomplish his goals no matter what stands in his way.
The story may have fallen short about 3/4 of the way into the picture but the performances remained strong throughout."Men of Honor" was changed from "Navy Diver" understandably so.
Gooding is great, and DeNiro, the best actor in movie history, gives a towering performance- his best dramatic work in years.
The story of Men of Honor is focused about Carl Brashear played by Cuba Gooding Jr. who wants to be the first African American deep sea diver in the navy.
The cast (Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert DeNiro and Charlize Theron) was stellar, the performances brilliant, in all, the movie could not have been better.
"Men of Honor" avoids these two mistakes, and catapults the film from a movie-of-the-week to a true cinematic accomplishment.Cuba Gooding Jr portrays Carl Brashear, the first African-American Navy Diver who joined the service in 1948, when the choices for him were either cook, steward, officer's valet, or to get out.
However, Gooding comes through in a big way, not by being showy but by capturing what you have to imagine is the true Carl Brashear, and DeNiro doesn't dial it down a bit as Sunday, a coarse, brutal, racist man who comes to understand that honor is colorblind.
We idealize films and Men of Honor is idealic, moving, humble and ....honorable.Men Of Honor is a wonderful film.The upside is it's a true story that although depicted in a way a movie company would back the story and a man like Carl Brashear who is a hero and a role model could be more than a name in an encyclopedia of African American greatness.The downside of this movie is having to work within those guidelines placed on the director already knows are in place; to not only have the story heard but not have mainstream America avoid seeing it because of the race issues involved.
As always, way to go, DeNiro!Now, I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to say and, with this movie give proof, to something I've believed ever since he came on the scene: Cuba Gooding Jr. is a fine actor and he just doesn't get enough really meaty roles.
This makes the film feel like it was made for the television even if the cast suggest it will be a really good story of courage and drive in the face of adversity.
We can start from the beginning and analyze the great character played by Cuba Gooding Jr.Speaking of what the film as such, but has come under fire for many people, I still see a very well run, with an amazing script, with an amazing story to tell, with a perfect fit and an ability to convey feelings and emotions to the viewer as probably very few films in cinema history have ever achieved, and that's pretty hard to do.Not only is this.
Cuba Gooding, Jr. gives what might be the best performance of his career as a Navy diver with Robert DeNiro as his diving instructor/ranking NCO.Gooding plays a real person that being Carl Brashear and gets a chance to play a far better and well rounded role then he normally gets to play.
Cuba Gooding Jr. is this man and the hard ass who is training him is none other than Robert De Niro.Men of Honor seemed like another boring military film that focuses on one character who must overcome adversity while training to become a part of a special unit in the service.
The romance between Cuba and his gal is thin and Charlize Theron is given so little to do I wondered why she was even in the film.Men Of Honor has everything that an inspirational film that is based on a true story should have.
I'm certainly glad that a film was made about Carl Brashear's amazing life story.