frankenbenz http://eattheblinds.blogspot.com/ Fans of hockey are well aware of Rocket Richard -- the legendary Montreal Canadien -- and for those who aren't in the know, it really doesn't matter. Whether you like hockey or hate it, Charles Biname's The Rocket will succeed in thoroughly entertaining you. The Rocket is an exceptionally well crafted story of one man's rise to prominence in a world where the odds are stacked against him. Yes, this is another "against all odds" sports melodrama, but the story here is unique, the dilemma foreign to those outside of the borders of Quebec.While being labeled too small, too fragile and too French by nearly everyone in professional hockey, Maurice Richard refused to quit. Eventually becoming one of the most electric and beloved stars of the fledgling NHL, Richard also became the voice of dissent for the entire province of Quebec.The story of Quebec, in short, is ultimately one of alienation. Once a throw-away nation of France's worst criminals, Jesuit missionaries, rogue Fur traders and castaways from France with nothing to lose. When France was dealt a crippling loss on the Plains of Abraham, Quebec was basically given to the British. Ever since this time, Quebec has been fighting to maintain its language, culture and respect as, essentially, a French island amidst a sea of English. This fight for respect is the same fight that would ultimately drive Richard to stand up to unfair treatment, discrimination and the many injustices doled out by the NHL's ruling elite.Richard's fight would ultimately culminate in the infamous Richard riots in Montreal which act as significant bookends in Richard's life story. In addition to being a multi-tiered story about fighting the odds and discrimination, The Rocket is also a touching love story, solidifying the rule a great woman is behind every great man. The Rocket excels in juggling the multiple aspects of Richard's complex and inspiring life, but the powerful bond between Richard and his loving and supportive wife Lucille proves to be the most penetrating and emotional anchor of the film.Powerful story aside, what makes The Rocket so impressive is its incredible attention to detail. This is a period piece, set in the 30's, 40's and 50's and the production design, wardrobe, lighting and cinematography rivals anything Hollywood has produced with tens of millions of more dollars to throw around. The Rocket also showcases an absolutely brilliant performance from its lead Roy Dupuis. Dupuis not only possesses an uncanny physical resemblance to Richard, he delivers a flawless performance harmonious in its ability to portray Richard's profound underlying pain coupled with his overwhelming success. Dupuis' performance proves how emotionally powerful and expressive subtlety and the use of few words can be when used as tools within melodrama. While there's no doubt The Rocket is indeed a melodrama, it is authored with such skill that big themes and historically epic events are rendered human, natural and almost always believable. While dramatically there are a few bumps in the road -- with a few scenes played a little too earnestly -- these oversteps aren't hard to excuse considering how exceptionally crafted nearly every other aspect is.Had a film like this been made in Hollywood about a football or baseball star, there's no doubt it would have been a box office hit and possibly an Oscar contender (most notably for Best Art Direction, Best Wardrobe, Best Cinematography and even Best Actor). Yet even though The Rocket is one of the best films ever made in Canada, it has failed to find an audience outside of Quebec. Distressing as it is, few Canadian films lucky enough to be financed ever go on to become box office success stories and the root of this problem lies in the Canadian distribution system. First of all, the overwhelming majority of theaters in Canada are not Canadian owned and the films on their screens are primarily American. Publicly funded Canadian films simply cannot compete with the advertising and marketing campaigns most American films, in fact, most Canadian films seldom cost more than the advertising budgets on most Hollywood blockbusters -- The Rocket is no exception to this rule. Ironically (and fortunately for the sake of French-Canadian cinema) the differences that have alienated the Quebecois are also the reason they have a successful film industry. The French language, the ingrained pride of the Quebecois and their determination to preserve their culture have created a self-sufficient environment where Quebec films can outperform Hollywood's giants.It makes perfect sense The Rocket was a success in Quebec, since it's a film articulating their struggle, but what's a shame is that this is a transcendent story that will speak to anyone and everyone. The Rocket deserves a bigger audience so do what you can to support the struggling Canadian film industry: find The Rocket, buy it, rent it, watch it and spread the word about it.

animal_8_5 I have been a hockey fan for almost 40 years and have collected almost every dramatic film ever made about the sport. But, I'd have to say that "The Rocket" is far and away, the best one ever made. The cinematography is stunning, the acting spellbinding and the story gripping. It tells the story of a simple and tortured man who drives himself to excel at the sport he loves. It leads him to become the reluctant hero of French-Canadian culture, self-perceived as being held back and oppressed by the anglophones.Roy Dupuis, who portrayed Maurice in no less than two other cinematic projects, perfectly captures the fire and intensity of the man in a most fitting, if not THE crowning tribute, to the legend of Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. Biname goes to great lengths to duplicate the look and feel of the late-30s, on into the mid-50s and certainly captures the collective agony and anger of early-to-mid 20th century French Canada.Julie LeBreton is beautiful and amazing as Richard's wife, Lucille. Notable also are the cameo appearances made by NHLers Sean Avery (Bob Dill), Vincent Lecavalier (Jean Beliveau); Mike Ricci (Elmer Lach), Ian Laperierre (Boom Boom Geoffrion) and Stephane Quintal (Dollard St. Laurent). What "Slap Shot" proved, "The Rocket" confirms. Pro hockey players are damn good actors!I realize funding for this movie was brought up in the infamous "Sponsorship Scandal" that dissolved former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin's Liberal government in 2006, but you can't fault it at any level. It was worth every cent used to make it and it will be hard for Canadian cinema to duplicate this level of quality ever again.

fortunecookie-3 Superb movie all around. Knowing the Rocket from only watching him as a hockey player, what I found most impelling was the love story between Maurice and Lucille. Much too short. Just perfect. But at the same time, would have loved to have seen more.Obviously, being a Canadian, old enough to remember the early years of Maurice Richard's professional life and the 6 team NHL from the late 40's, this movie is a no-brainer to recommend.From the very beginning, The Rocket is a scene turner. Photographed in black and white made it more realistic.Glad in part that it is in the mother language of the participants. Perhaps it would have been better if it were entirely in English, but that would have taken away from the realism. Having to continually drop my eyes to read the subtitles was of course interruptive. However, The Rocket is so well photographed and directed, that it was able to tell its story with minimal dialogue and thus prove the old adage, "a picture is worth a thousand words."

rinny_summer I've just seen the movie at Ljubljana film festival and I'm charmed! As I'm not from North America the name of Maurice Richard to me actually never meant more than a name of trophy. After seeing "The rocket" it changed. It's easier to understand what his name meant and probably still means to French Canadians - not just to hockey fans. A humble man who loved the hockey and his family and suffered injustices until one day he started to change things. I liked acting as well as the scenery of forties and fifties. I can only recommend this movie to everyone who wants to know more about Maurice Richard, the way NHL was functioning that time and what kind of impact he had in Quebec province.