In the late 1930s, a young machinist named Maurice Richard distinguished himself as a ice hockey player of preternatural talent. Although that was enough to get him into the Montreal Canadiens, his frequent injuries cost him the confidence of his team and the fans. In the face of these doubts, Richard eventually shows the kind of aggressive and skillful play that would make him one of the greatest players of all time as "The Rocket." However for all his success, Richard and his fellow French Canadians face constant discrimination in a league dominated by the English speaking. Although a man of few words, Richard begins to speak his own mind about the injustice which creates a organizational conflict that would culminate in his infamous 1955 season suspension that sparks an ethnic riot in protest. In the face of these challenges, Richard must decide who exactly is he playing for.
Similar titles
Reviews
Instant Favorite.
It's funny, it's tense, it features two great performances from two actors and the director expertly creates a web of odd tension where you actually don't know what is happening for the majority of the run time.
There's no way I can possibly love it entirely but I just think its ridiculously bad, but enjoyable at the same time.
Exactly the movie you think it is, but not the movie you want it to be.
The DVD box has a quote calling The Rocket, "the Gladiator of Hockey Movies." I'm not sure I can agree with this, but that is not a bad thing. I'll admit to not being blown away by Gladiator like most people are. Instead, if I were to compare this film, about French Canadian superstar Maurice "Rocket" Richard, to anything, I'd say it is the Cinderella Man of hockey movies. There are many comparisons that could be made between Braddock and Richard as far as uniting a nation against all odds; The Rocket's start actually happened during the Depression as well. Where this story sets itself apart, however, is in the racial undertones involved. Even in Quebec, the French-speaking citizens were second-class and mocked, slurred, and demeaned without regard whatsoever. To see how the NHL not only allowed it to happen in their league, but also actually allowed other teams to seek out and injure their best player is unconscionable. Richard was not only a hero in his sport for standing up against the establishment, but also for an entire race of people looking for a voice. To work on a sports movie level, as well as a political document of history is an amazing feat, and this film pulls it off with flying colors.I admit to knowing very little of this story on my favorite sport during the 1940s and 1950s. To see the stuff that went on involving such big names behind the scenes such as Campbell, Conn Smythe, etc. is incomprehensible. How could they have allowed the game to get that bad? Especially in a time period when the coaches had to explain to their players that the league risked folding unless they brought an exciting product to the ice, (sound familiar to the short straw the game has gotten today?). The referees all had an agenda and no one took the time to try and right the ship. Then comes this working class machinist to a Montreal training camp, blows away the competition and even then almost doesn't make the cut. Without coach Dick Irvin sticking by him, even after an ankle injury that was about to end his career during his rookie season, who knows what would have happened to the NHL, because Richard carried it on his shoulders and made it into a professional sport again. He filled the seats, not only in Montreal, but also in every other stadium of the league during away games; he broke the goal scoring record, being the first to have 50 in 50 games; and he never backed down to a confrontation on or off the ice. If a goon came after him with threats, Richard would throw the first punch, and it usually would be the last.Stephen McHattie and Roy Dupuis are superb as Irvin and Richard respectively. Despite the tough love relationship, these two would be nothing without each other and their drivetheir needto win would not be stopped. Dupuis pulls off everything asked of him, between the accents, (learning English slowly improves his use of the language), the hockey skills, (watching him roof those backhands after his ankle recovery is impressive), and the emotional courage to stand up for people's rights, even if it was just a game, (as his barber says, the French Canadians have forgot what winning is and even if it is just on the ice, it's a good thing to remind them). It is also a very nice touch seeing all the familiar faces in supporting roles. From Mike Ricci to Vincent Lecavalier to bruiser Sean Avery, they all handle themselves well and add a little extra to the proceedings.Without the solid story being told, The Rocket would be just your standard run-of-the-mill sports bio-pic. I realize this and that is why I like it even more. It took the time to be more than just about a career, but instead to be about a life that changed a game and a country. Despite this fact, though, it is the visual style that I can't help but remember. You believe you are there in the darkened hockey rinks with the use of soft focus and close-ups. The uniforms are amazing to watch and the old padding, sticks, glove, etc really bring you there. Even the use of black and white to start each transition in time, slowly turning to color worked for me. Clichéd and easy, true, but it just fit the aesthetic perfectly. Call me surprised when viewing the filmography of cinematographer Pierre Gill and seeing the only movie I recognized was the tragic The Covenant. Hopefully he will get some more quality work after people start checking this film out. Completed in 2005, it took two years to finally reach theatres and video. I guess it is appropriate to the story, the "little" French Canadian needing to fight in order to show what it is made of. Thankfully it did finally see the light of day, because there aren't many sports films I can think of that moved me as much as this one did.
As a hockey fan who also happens to love movies, the two combined made seeing "The Rocket" a must for me. It was playing only for a week in a tiny theater in NYC so I saw it the day after it opened. I was surprised to find out that it had been out awhile and only just arrived here two weeks ago.Roy Dupuis is a tower of dignity as Maurice Richard. I don't know what Richard looked like in real life, or what he was like, but Dupuis is a terrific actor, a great skater, and he cannot be faulted for anything. I have to admit that although I have naturally heard of Richard, I did not know much about his life and struggles, but now I am very interested in reading up on him. I was lucky enough to have seen three games at the Montreal Forum, which is where he would have played and have an enormous amount of respect for the tradition of the Canadians. They are still to hockey what the Yankees are to baseball, even though they are not always a playoff team. But its men like Richard that have created that tradition.The whole movie is very well done and it was nice seeing current NHL players in small parts. It is a better movie than all the other hockey movies I've seen (not that there are that many to choose from) and that includes "Slap Shot" which I love since its hilarious but its not even close to this, as far as the story it tells about a real stand-up guy, facing many obstacles and playing the greatest sport in the world. Hats off (since no one wore helmets back then..) to all involved. 10/10.
Roy Dupuis stars as "The Rocket" Maurice Richard in this epic hockey film. It is one of the best hockey movies I have ever seen, even better than Miracle. It doesn't matter if it's in French or if you don't even know who Maurice Richard was. You will get to know him during this film and want to know even more once the film has ended. It's an inspiring tale of one man overcoming hardships to prevail and show everyone how wrong they all were. 1950's hockey is portrayed with a gritty reality. Some of the most intense hockey fighting appears throughout this film. Dupuis really shines in Richard's relationship with his coach and his wife. Whether, you're a hockey fan or not, this movie is a must see.
First off, i can't really say that i am really a hockey fan, but living in Canada, a hockey dominated country, i saw myself forced into watching this movie. My first reaction was -- sports movie? probably just another Rudi or Coach Carter. However there was much more to this movie than winning the game. In fact, unlike the typical Hollywood sports movie, the protagonist always saw things negatively, never seeing himself as the greatest player or anything. The essence of the story too, is beautifully presented. I have the feeling that there is more of a racist theme than a sports theme here. The most powerful moment is possibly the one where the coach makes a speech in terrible french, but tries to connect with his players, and putting himself on the same level with them.On the film making aspects, there is just one thing to say -- beautiful! The arts department did an amazing job at recreating Quebec in the WWII era, and the cinematography was, well... amazing. The different colors used for different settings, the camera work, it was all a little different from other movies of its kind, it was truly a pleasure to watch!! So my final verdict is this...even if you don't care whatsoever about hockey, if you want to see a great movie, watch Maurice Richard: The Rocket!
Top Streaming Movies
