The Rocket | DVD Review

Director Charles Binamé’s portrait of the career of legendary Montreal Canadian player Mauricé “Rocket” Richard garnered 9 Genies last year including best director and one for leading actor Roy Dupuis. The story of Richard is well known to Canadians both Francophone and English-speaking, and the film version does well to reiterate the career-defining moments–including the struggle against the oppressive and prejudiced NHL president, Clarence Campell; and the 1955 “Richard riots” which resulted from his suspension for knocking out a referee. Other than loose and rather unprofound sketches of Richard’s home-life, his place in Canada as a blue-collar, oppressed French-Canadian and relationship to his hardened coach (Stephen McHattie) this is basically a straight-forward treatment of now mythic events which spanned Richard’s career from 1942 until 1960. There’s nothing especially wrong with that–the film will appeal to both Quebecers, Canadians and hockey-fans throughout North America, as well as those who enjoy an inspirational bittersweet success story and a triumph of the under-dog against the odds. Cinematography here is artful and highly expressionistic–the use of blue and black and white tones is prevalent and it appears in some cases that characters are juxtaposed with historical footage of a bustling, snowy Montreal. Attention to sets, extras and costuming is meticulous and the old Forum (the ‘Habs’ original arena) is recreated in detail. The action on the ice is filmed spectacularly and remains cohesive and realistic–among the best sports-action sequences in cinema, and game-time fighting and maiming is gritty and bloody as befits those pre-helmet years. Dupuis is exceptional and conveys the spirit of Richard with a driven demeanor, a fire in his eyes on the ice, and a sensitive and thoughtful, albeit simple, man in his home life.
For those into watching sports films or perhaps with any interest in pivotal moments in Canadian and Quebecois history–“The Rocket” should satisfy–it is a basic, but altogether well made picture and portrait of a man and his passion.

The DVD includes a wide screen format.
Special Features include Deleted Scenes and original Theatrical Trailer as well as a somewhat insightful made-for- television featurette: “A Tribute to Maurice Richard, The Rocket” which includes the actors and NHL players (of which many had cameos within the film) reminiscing about the legend and relaying their own connection with the man as French-Canadians who had been inspired by him in their youths.

Though not particularly one for the art-film crowd, “The Rocket” is a worthy tribute to Maurice Richard and a well-acted and beautifully photographed sports genre film.

Movie rating – 3.5

Disc Rating – 3