“The Hurricane” a compelling biopic about Reuben Carter’s life starring the remarkable Denzel Washington, is not just an ordinary film. Its themes of injustice, profiling, and prejudice are as relevant today as they were then, making it a film that resonates with our current social climate and is definitely worth revisiting.
The film illuminates the struggles against deeply entrenched biases and the fight for equality. These issues are still at the forefront of social movements today. By revisiting this film, viewers can gain a deeper understanding of the ongoing challenges faced in achieving justice and equality for all.
From The Ring to the Prison System
The film begins with a flashback of The Hurricane’s triumphant victory in the boxing ring, where he wins the welterweight title. It then shifts to a scene of The Hurricane in prison, protesting a potential rights violation during a search that he is sure will lead to the seizure of his precious manuscript. A sympathetic guard agrees to help him by preventing a possible strip search thereby indicating that Carter could hide the manuscript on his persons.
The narrative then moves to the present, introducing viewers to a young Black boy (Lesra) who visits a bookstore with his mentors. There Lesra discovers a manuscript with Hurricane’s photo on the back. This is the book of his choosing. And the story unfolds from here, as he reads the manuscript, revealing the events that shaped Hurricane’s life.
Parallel Journeys: Connecting Past and Present
The manuscript Lesra reads describes Carter’s childhood growing up in a society rife with racial tension, where injustices against people of color went unnoticed. Meanwhile, people of color faced harsh punishment for even minor mistakes.
While it seems Lesra is a bystander it is he who moves the story further in the film but also does so in reality. Even more pretenent is the understanding that Lesra’s introduction links the past with the present, highlighting the lasting effects of these injustices and the persistent struggle for equality.
Remarkably, the story employs a technique that equally shifts perspectives. We vacillitate between the young man, who deeply empathizes with The Hurricane’s journey, and The Hurricane himself. This approach makes for greater impact. We follow both along their journeys and grow in understanding of how past impacts the future.
Fighting for Freedom
Reuben Carter’s life has been a relentless struggle against the system’s clutches. At every turn, he seems thwarted by the oppressive establishment. This is when he finds his passion. His struggle leads him to boxing, a decision he makes in effort to rise above his circumstances. He seeks to transform his body into a weapon.
He believes the only way to achieve freedom in that current social climate was to fight legitmately and that meant in the ring. His winning meant he would never end up behind bars again. However, his proficiency with his weapons (fist) made him even more enemies. The very thing he sought to free him landed him right back where he had no desire to be.
Not For The Faint at Heart
The film is a raw and unflinching portrayal, vividly capturing the era’s volatility and grittiness. By today’s standards, some might find the movie unpalatable due to its lack of political correctness. Yet, sometimes brutal honesty is necessary to stress the message that liberty, while presumed a right granted to all, isn’t always so. For those with increased sensitivites and softened sensibiities this film will be a hard watch.
The Power of Advocacy
This movie tells the story of Hurricane’s long and arduous battle, arguably the toughest and most challenging he faced. The film highlights that sometimes, fighting on your terms is not enough; you need someone to fight for you. The Hurricane’s eventual freedom was not achieved through his efforts alone; it was largely due to a young boy’s determination and passion to see a man whose story had significantly influenced his own life set free.
For those who haven’t watched the biographical drama starring Denzel Washington, “The Hurricane” is now available on Apple+.
Uncut Diamonds 