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Men of Honor

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A Techtite Review

A PG-13 film, starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Robert De Niro, and Aunjanue Ellis

(November 10th, 2000 release, reviewed the same day)

The Film : Men of Honor is one of those good films that has that one flaw: that it could have been great. One can't help themselves when feeling that this film, although over 2 hours in length, should have been extended to an epic 3 hours or more, like Braveheart or Schindler's List. This is even more true when you realize that the story is based on a real person.

Cuba Gooding Jr. stars as Carl Brashear, who wanted above all else to become the first African American Navy diver. Against all odds, as well as more than a good share of unfair prejudice, he succeeds beyond anyone's expectations. Even his former superior officer, Billy Sunday, slowly turns in the film from one of those fervently against him, to one of the few men who try valiantly to support him. Others rooting for Carl to achieve his dream are his girlfriend, Jo (Aunjanue Ellis), and Billy's long suffering wife, Gwen (Charlize Theron). This is even harder, when the man in charge of the base, "Mr. Pappy" (Hal Holbrook), is adamant that no African American will ever become a diver as long as he's in charge.

The ongoing story may seem a little over sentimental at times, and after all, it's not like this is the first film about the plight of an African-American trying to be the first this or the first that. However, unlike the majority of those other films, all this really happened. Obviously, most of it has been adapted for the screen due to time constraints (Billy Sunday, for example, is an amalgamation of several superior officers Brashear faced through several years). However, the majority of the other part of the story --right up to the epilogue-- all happened in the life of the actual man whose life this film is based on.

However, the film makes one edit too many. This is not unlike reading a book excerpt instead of the full book. While the best, most startling moments of Brashear's life are all shown, they aren't given enough screen time. The final half hour, in particular, is especially rushed, when Brashear must come to terms with either walking with a cane the rest of his life, or going back as a diver with a prosthetic leg. His struggle to achieve this major feat deserves much more than the quick-paced, tacked-at-the-end appearance it's given in this film.

However, this doesn't detract from the story at hand, nor the worthiness to tell it. Men of Honor is an appropriately titled biography of a man who anyone would want to more about. You'll root for him all the way, as he beats every challenge set for him. While other fictional films may seem similar, this is the real deal, and deserves at least as much respect. If anything, this film's biggest flaw is that it's too short, and the viewer is left wanting even more.

The DVD : It's a shame this film did not get that extra rewrite (or even, re-edit), to give the story the Oscar-caliber treatment it deserved. However, at least the DVD gives some credit, where credit is due. The commentary, for example, includes comments by actor Cuba Gooding Jr., as well as director George Tillman, Jr., producer Robert Teitel and screenwriter Scott Marshall Smith. This four-man commentary is superior to most, which often only offer one (or at best two) members of the producer/director team.

Deleted scenes are where this disc shines, which includes an alternate ending choice. 11 deleted scenes in all, means you'll be watching this disc long after the film is finished. Other bonus videos include the original, HBO "First Look" featurette, as well as a separate featurette, called "A Tribute to Carl Brashear." An additional, intriguing addition, are the animated storyboards, which uniquely even include their own included audio commentary by the director. Topping it all off are the original film trailers, as well as the music video of the film's song by Brian McKnight, named simply "Win."

In summary, there's more than enough reason to at least rent this DVD. Personally, I'd even recommend buying it. However, it's a shame that I even have to ask; with that one, additional re-write of the script, this film could have been the Oscar sweep of 2000. It's a shame things didn't turn out that way...

	Final Rating : Large Crater. Sure, it's an abridged story, which should've been extended into a 3 hour epic. However, that doesn't reduce how great a story it is.
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