2/25/2000
The Hurricane stars Denzel Washington as Rubin "Hurricane" Carter, Vicellous Reon Shannon as Lesra Martin, Deborah Unger as Lisa Peters, Liev Schreiber as Sam Chaiton, John Hannah as Terry Swinton, Dan Hedaya as Det. Vincent Della Pesca, Debbi Morgan as Mae Thelma, Clancy Brown as Lt. Jimmy Williams, David Paymer as Myron Bedlock, Harris Yulin as Leon Friedman, Rod Steiger as Judge H. Lee Sorokin and, Garland Whitt as John Artis.
The Hurricane tells a compelling true story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter framed for the murder of three people. Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is a world champion boxer with a history of childhood crime. He doesn't have the good sense to move out of the neighborhood where he is the prize target of Det. Vincent Della Pesca. When anything happens Rubin is the first suspect. This time is no different. Rubin is sentenced to life in prison.
Three Canadians, two men and woman, are educating a black American youth, Lesra Martin, they encountered in the U. S. They are teaching Lesra Martin to read. They go to a used book store where he buys a book for $0.25, The Sixteenth Round by Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. After reading the book, Lesra corresponds with Rubin. To his surprise, Rubin writes back. This becomes an inspiration to both, Lesra Martin and Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. Through the dedication of the three Canadians and Lesra Martin, Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is freed.
The acting is superb in this film. The story is compelling and the characters are interesting, but the film is missing the story of the four people who freed Rubin "Hurricane" Carter. We only get glimpses into their lives. We have no idea why these people dedicated their lives to freeing a man they did not know. The story of Rubin "Hurricane" Carter is told through many flashbacks/forwards. This made the film tedious. The flashbacks were used to create high drama and draw out the film. A better use would have been to tell the story of the other heros, Lisa Peters, Sam Chaiton, Terry Swinton, and Lesra Martin.
I give it 3 out of 5 used books: