DVD Details

Movie Review: © © © © © ½

Rating: R

Run-time: 128 minutes.

Release Date: 04-10-2001

Special Features:

• Wide-screen
• Assorted Sub-titles
• Commentaries by Director George Tillman, and key actors.

As Christmastime approaches I as a movie critic have chosen to review a movie that is personally one of my old time favorites: Men of Honor. Although a fairly recent movie having been released in November 2000. Men of Honor is one of my favorite movies starring Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro. Cuba Gooding Jr. plays the role of Carl Brashear, a navy sailor who aspires to become a navy diver. However, Carl faces many obstacles along the way before he can become one. Robert De Niro plays the character of Master Chief Leslie W. Sunday, a bitter seasoned navy diver who becomes Carl’s instructor in diving school. However, Carl makes his decision to become a navy diver in a time when African Americans were being discriminated against everywhere. This poses a difficult obstacle for Carl to overcome because he is told right away that at the time there is not an African American navy diver, and that they don’t have plans to change this any time soon. Nonetheless, Carl is determined to better himself, and follow his dreams. On the other hand Master Chief Sunday is determined not to let Carl become a navy diver, and makes everything possible to deter him without success. As time goes by Carl starts to win Master Chief Sunday’s respect because he just won’t give up. Even though Sunday’s attitude toward Carl is changing, he is only one man among many who want to see Carl fail. After many struggles, Carl becomes a navy diver with the help of Master Chief Sunday. Then when it seems that Carl is at the top of his career as a navy diver, he is involved in an accident in a ship that requires him to have one of his lower legs amputated. A hard time for Carl to overcome because it could mean the end of his hard-earned career. However, Carl is not going to let that stop his career, so he opts to get a leg prosthesis that would allow him to continue his career as a navy diver. After Carl gets restated into the Navy, he proves everyone that he has determination and conviction and that he can achieve whatever he sets his mind to.

While this story plot is inspiring in itself what makes it even more inspiring is that the movie was inspired by the life story of Carl Brashear. Having had the honor of meeting Carl Brashear during the premier of the movie back in 2000 Men of Honor has become more than just a movie to me, it has become the story of a very admirable man. Carl Brashear born in 1931 from Tonieville in Larue County, Kentucky was the son of a farmer who was resolved to reach his dream, and overcome any obstacles in his way. Carl has many circumstances going against him, but he doesn’t let that stop him. His skin color proves to be an obstacle to his becoming a navy diver because at the time African Americans did not have as many opportunities as they do today. Carl knows that there is not much he can do about that because he would have to change many people’s way of thinking. However, he realizes that all he can do is try his best to become the first African American navy diver. During diving school Carl faces many struggles such as the death of his father, his deficiency in educational background, the unfriendliness of the other diving students as well as the bitterness of Master Chief Sunday. However, not matter what the obstacles are, Carl’s patience, perseverance, and strong-will allows him to succeed and to become a Navy master diver. Carl Brashear retired from the Navy in 1979 after 30 years of service in the Navy. During his lifetime Carl became the first African American to become a Navy master diver, and afterwards he became the first African American Navy restored to service as an amputee.

Carl Brashear is my favorite character in the film because he is someone anyone can relate to. Most people face in their lifetime different obstacles that could have prevented them from reaching their goal. However, Carl shows that a person must believe in their dream not matter how impossible it may seem. Moreover, Carl illustrates character qualities that everyone should strive for such as willpower, patience and determination. Although circumstances beyond his control could have deter him from pursuing his goal, he realizes that he must try harder, and give his best. Carl wins the respect of his diving classmates as well as Master Chief Sunday throughout the film for his resolve and determination, he also wins the respect of anyone who watches this life-inspiring film. As I am writing this film review a couple of famous lines from the movie that comes to mind: "Why do you want it so badly?" says Jo (Carl’s tutor played by Aunjaune Ellis). "Because they said I couldn’t have it," says Carl. As simple as Carl’s answer to Jo may seem, it seems to me that it has profound meaning. Many people will abandon their dreams or goals as soon as they run into opposition. However, having been told that he couldn’t become a navy diver because he is African American only makes Carl more resolute to accomplish his goal. That is one of the reasons why Carl asks for help from Jo, he knows that having only gone though seventh grade he does not have the basics to pass his classes. If he can’t pass his classes he will get kick out. Carl knows that he cannot let that happen, he has to try his very best. This quote is my favorite from the movie because it rings a bell. For example, when I moved to the U.S. and my parents tried to enroll me at one of the local private high schools. I was denied admission because I was told that I would not be able to catch up with the rest of the students, and that English would be a barrier. The principal informed my parents that it would be almost impossible for me to catch up in history, math, English literature, and that she felt it would be very difficult for me to learn English at the level that she felt I needed to succeed in school. I only wanted the opportunity for at least a year to prove myself that I could succeed if given the chance. However, Saint Francis High School gave me the opportunity to attend. I graduated from Saint Francis H.S. with a high GPA. I believe that many people if given an opportunity have the will and drive to succeed. I believe that many people can also relate to the quote from the movie because many of them have been discouraged at some point in their life. This is why discouragement should not prevent people from reaching their goals.

A scene that seems to me the most memorable to me is when Carl has to assemble together a valve made up of tiny parts under water as the last task that Carl has to accomplish in order to become a navy diver. Although Master Chief Sunday believes that Carl deserves to graduate, the Captain in command of the diving school above Master Chief Sunday orders him to not allow Carl finish the task. Consequently, Sunday orders to have Carl’s bag with all of the pieces for the valve be tear open, so all of the pieces will end up at the bottom of the seafloor. The Captain as well as Master Chief Sunday think that there is not a chance that Carl will be able to assemble the valve together because all of the pieces are spread out in the seafloor. However, Carl realizes what has happened because he knows that he is so close to becoming a navy diver, and all he has to do is finish that task. Hours after the rest of the students finish their tasks, Carl is still underwater looking for all of the pieces for the valve. Carl’s strong will and perseverance pays off when at the end of the day he is able to have put together the valve. By then Master Chief Sunday passes him making him an official navy diver. This scene is my favorite scene because Carl exhibits the willpower that he possesses and the undeniable determination that let him reach his goal toward the end. Being so close to accomplishing his goal Carl pushes himself to assemble that valve not matter how long it takes him. I also like this scene because Master Chief Sunday recognizes that Carl deserves to graduate from diving school not only because of his perseverance, and determination, but because against all odds he never gives up. Master Chief Sunday graduates Carl knowing that he will face some consequences for disobeying his superior’s orders.

Men of Honor is one of my favorite movies that I never get tired of watching time and time again. I think that Men of Honor is an inspiring movie because it shows that if a person believes in his/her dreams, and works toward fulfilling them, it is possible. Moreover, I also like this movie because it illustrates that a person can overcome the obstacles that cross his/her path, and that stand between that person and his/her dreams or goals as Carl showed us through the film. I also really like this movie because it was inspired by a true story, which makes it even more realistic. Carl Brashear was a man that had the courage to confront those who put barriers in front of him, and the determination to accomplish what he set his mind to. Although Carl Brashear is not longer with us, he died early this year at the age of 75 of respiratory problems and heart failure, his legacy will always be with us that a person can accomplish anything he/she sets his mind to. I think in a lot of cases a person may set limits for himself or herself, and not explore his/her potential. I would recommend this movie to anyone that wants to see a great movie that is as inspiring as it is courageous.