I must say that I wasn't expecting very much from this over-hyped film that managed to make everyone's "Best Films of 1999" list, and that's exactly what I got. Let's face it, we've all read/seen a story about a "wrongfully accused black man who is put in prison for 19 years, and then released through the intervention of a group of young white liberals." What could have saved this film might have been fast pacing, extraordinary acting, good-editing, and a non-cliched approach. Instead we get the opposite. Norman Jewison piles cliche on top of cliche("the downtrodden black man-cliche," "the boxing film-cliche," "the prison film-cliche etc.)in an overlong, often-boring story of the "facts" behind the Rubin "Hurricane" Carter tragedy(many of which don't jibe with the REAL facts.) Even Denzel Washington's acting is a major disappointment; he does very little to warrant all of the "Academy Award nomination buzz."

Denzel Washington stars as boxer Rubin "Hurricane" Carter who was wrongly convicted of murder in the 60's and sentenced to life in jail. Tried twice and found guilty, he was finally released 20 years later when four friends from Canada found the evidence that would prove his innocence. Based on a true story, the film tends to be very cliched and melodramatic. Denzel and supporting cast put in decent performances but there is nothing here to make you cry Oscar. The film itself is a little longer and slower than necessary, but apparently a lot of key information regarding the real Hurricane was left out. Although it seems director Norman Jewison delivers a very biased story in favor of Carter, it is entertaining and I found some of it very moving.