Hurricane
HurricaneIs This ‘Hurricane’ a Twist of Facts?
Rubin Carter: Denzel Washington
Lesra: Vicellous Reon Shannon
Lisa: Deborah Kara Unger
Sam: Liev Schreiber
Terry: John Hannah
Della Pesca: Dan Hedaya
“The Hurricane” is set in Patterson, New Jersey, the hometown of middleweight champion boxer, Rubin Carter. The film tells the triumphant story of Rubin Carter, played by Denzel Washington, who is framed for a triple murder. Rubin Carter loses 19 years of his life in prison because of racism and police corruption.
The film starts with the ‘Hurricane’ contending in the boxing ring, and proceeds to flash between Carter’s childhood and his current misfortunes with Vincent Della Pesca, played by Dan Hedaya. This villainous cop essentially makes it his lifelong business to harm Carter. Although many of the scenes consist of Carter in prison, I feel that the climax of the movie is when the young boy, Lesra, played by Vicellous Reon Shannon, reluctantly goes to a used-book store. Lesra is headed there with one of his educators by the name of Sam, played by Liev Schreiber, because Lesra is required to pick out a book to read for his assignment. I feel this is the climax because soon after he purchases his first book, the relationship between Carter and Lesra begins. The picture on the cover is what first attracts Lesra to the book, but it is Carter’s passionate words that keep Lesra attached to it. The book holds so much mystery, emotion, and feeling that it makes the boy determined to meet the ‘Hurricane,’ and support him in his fight for freedom.
Before meeting the young boy, Carter touches the audience and gathers strength in the scene where he refuses to wear prison clothing, and eventually learns to separate himself mentally and emotionally from his surroundings. He teaches himself to ignore, and to forget the life outside the walls of his prison cell. In doing so, Carter tries to no longer “need” what he can not obtain, his freedom. It is that desire to be secluded from the outside world, that makes the relationship between him and Lesra so touching. The feeling in the letters passed between the two is so powerful that I couldn’t help but hold on to every word, constantly wondering what was going to happen next. The letters and meetings with Lesra, Lisa, Sam, and Terry start to concern the angry and pride filled Carter. Sam, Lisa, and Terry are the Canadians that are educating Lesra. Lesra first asks them to come and meet Rubin Carter with him, but they are touched by Carter’s testimony, and become determined to help set Carter free. It is when Carter says, “Do not write me. Do not visit me. Find it in your hearts to not weaken me with your love,” where I truly understand the...
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