The Hurricane features stellar work from Denzel Washington but it also speaks to the overwhelming amount of injustice taking place in the American criminal justice system.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 29, 2024

... Jewison’s most passionate work in years; his indignation powers the film.

| Mar 8, 2024

There are a handful of scenes that Washington carries all by himself, but the rest of The Hurricane is an ill-constructed failure. It's slow and poorly written, and -- somehow -- it's a non-fiction story that often feels unrealistic

| Original Score: 2/4 | Oct 27, 2023

A powerful case of injustice lacking punch.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 16, 2021

Denzel dazzles in biopic of imprisoned boxer.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Dec 24, 2010

The film, directed by Norman Jewison, feels a bit too simple for such a complex story, but Washington transcends the problems to provide his best acting since Malcolm X.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Aug 7, 2008

There's no denying it's powerful stuff, which, for want of a better phrase, really packs a punch.

| Aug 5, 2008

Startlingly inept coming from a generally accomplished director like Norman Jewison.

| Original Score: D | Sep 24, 2007

Facile and unpersuasive.

| Jun 24, 2006

There is a talented supporting cast, but they are not given much opportunity to break out of the two-dimensional symbolism they are cloaked with in the script by Armyan Bernstein and Dan Gordon.

| Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2005

The movie's dogged humorlessness, and its sixties-style cant, don't do justice to all the political crosscurrents in this story.

Full Review | Aug 7, 2004

The film has genuine impact, and I'm betting that leading and supporting Oscar nominations will follow.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 20, 2003

A reminder that there's still a lot to be said for the good old-fashioned inspirational Hollywood movie.

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Apr 25, 2003

A thoughtful, moving story, and a triumph for Jewison, Washington, and Carter himself.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Feb 8, 2003

The drama is hung on a vendetta between a flawed-but-honourable man and a doggedly bad cop. Yes, it's Valjean and Javert, together again.

| Dec 2, 2002

A great showcase for the actor's skills.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Nov 22, 2002

Some stories are so good that even a Hollywood screenwriter can't ruin them. The Hurricane is one of them.

| Oct 21, 2002

As the center of the drama, Mr. Washington more than fills the screen; he very nearly sets it on fire.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Oct 15, 2002

Give director Norman Jewison credit for two things: 1) He made the movie; 2) He let Washington run away with it.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 18, 2002

Crusty old Canadian liberal Norman Jewison has airbrushed Carter of his foibles and turned him into that hoary racial stereotype, the saintly martyred black man.

| Mar 24, 2002