THE HURRICANE *** (out of four stars) A review by Jamey Hughton
Starring-Denzel Washington, Vicellous Reon Shannon, Liev Schreiber, Deborah Kara Unger and John Hannah Director-Norman Jewison Canadian Rating-PG Released by Universal Pictures - 01/00
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`The Hurricane', the true story of wrongly convicted boxer Rubin `Hurricane' Carter, is obviously a burden of love on behalf on the filmmakers. In particular, the commendable effort of Canadian director Norman Jewison speaks nothing but painstaking dedication. Jewison has extracted every possible ounce of compelling drama out of Carter's inspirational battle for justice, and channeled it into a stunningly powerful biography. The man with center-stage, however, is Denzel Washington.
Washington's commanding, heartfelt performance as the title character only further justifies the fact that he could be the best actor working in Hollywood today. His seductive puppy-dog eyes and polished speech mannerisms entrance the viewer, and from there, the effortless nuance and understated power of character take over. Washington's deeply affecting portrayal of The Hurricane is just another impressive file to add into the great performance cabinet of 1999, but there is something that makes this one stand out. Perhaps it's because his characterization is based upon that of an actual individual, and that Carter's story is already compelling and touching before being formatted to a theatrical biography. But it's Denzel who goes that extra yard to identify with the racial injustice that Carter dealt with, and all the while remaining loyal and true to his story. It's almost unfortunate that bits and pieces of `The Hurricane' are too conventional, and that dramatic authority is lacking during a few crucial moments.
The Hurricane's story begins in the boxing ring, just as Carter has upset the favored defender and become the new Welter Weight Champion. But there is one determined obstacle in his journey to fame: racism. Carter is wrongly accused for a multiple-homicide by a racist police officer (Dan Hedaya) who has hounded him since he was 11-years old. Of course, the ruling tips in favor of his guilt, and in 1966 Carter is sentenced to prison for the remainder of his natural life. At this point, Jewison has more than persuaded the audience that the world is a cruel and unjust place. But there is a faint light of hope at the end of The Hurricane's tunnel, and that hope lies within a small group of Canadians who would rally to set him free. Lesra Martin (Vicellous Reon Shannon), a Brooklyn youth being tutored in Toronto by three Canadian adults, manages to find a copy of The Hurricane's autobiography, `The Sixteenth Round'. Lesra is deeply moved by the story, and feels compelled to meet Carter in person and somehow bring his case to a Federal court.
`The Hurricane' is powerful stuff. Mind you, it's also a constant uphill battle to establish some of the essential dramatic details. Jewison crafts a beautiful story with a potent emotional backbone, only fumbling the ball on a few childhood flashbacks, which are brief and rather unconvincing. All of the performances are stellar. Although they are never granted more than a peripheral outlook, Liev Schreiber, Deborah Kara Unger and John Hannah are excellent in their roles as the courageous Canadian trio who fight valiantly for Hurricane's freedom. Dan Hedaya succeeds in making us want to put his character through a meat grinder. The remainder of supporting cast includes David Paymer and Rod Steiger, both playing small but equally pivotal roles. The screenplay in `The Hurricane' borders on cliché too often, including an excessive good cop-bad cop scenario, but the performances and steadfast direction never taper off course.
Washington's performance is a great one in a semi-great movie. Another component that is thankfully added is the believable and ultimately heartfelt relationship between Rubin and Lesra. There is a sense of discovery with their interaction together. It's a great feeling, just as it must have been for the real Hurricane upon his first meeting with this young Brooklyn lad who had identified with his novel. This feel-good message adds fuel to the powerful fire of `The Hurricane', and helps it overcome the conventional flaws that simmer within it's screenplay. Of course, it all boils down to the Canadians gathering information and connecting the dots of various witness statements to find the proper documents for the courts to release Hurricane from prison. Even though the finale is slightly melodramatic and easy to anticipate, the message of `The Hurricane' radiates throughout this inspirational biography.
`Hate put me in prison. Love's gonna bust me out'. As soon as Washington speaks these words, we realize our journey has been worthwhile. Just as justice does for Mr. Rubin Carter, `The Hurricane' prevails in the end.
(C) 2000, Jamey Hughton
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