This is an excellent film. I think that thing that I enjoyed most about this film is its humility. Despite his passion and brilliance on the ice, Maurice Richard was a humble man who never wore the mantle of greatness easily. Many of his accomplishments are depicted in this movie, but in a way that reflects this humble, yet utterly brilliant and great man. I was fortunate to be at the last game played in the Montreal Forum, almost 40 years after Richard last played for the team. The sixteen minute standing ovation and outpouring of emotion for this man when he was brought to centre ice is one of the most amazing things I've ever seen.
If you're not from Quebec, and more specifically from Montreal, then it may be hard to understand the impact that this man had on the province. He was, during his playing days, literally seen as a religious icon. This movie does an amazing job at telling the story of the Rocket's lasting social impact upon Quebec, and it does so in a very quiet and compelling fashion.
I should also point out the incredible detail that has gone into this film. As well as being an excellent actor, Roy Dupuis is a dead-ringer for the rocket. Mike Ricci is a carbon copy of Elmer Lach, and Vincent Lecavalier is a ringer for Jean Beliveau. The cages separating standing room from the seats were an actual feature of the forum through the 40s, and very much a symbol of French-Canadian working class discontent in Montreal at the time. The photograph sequence of Sugar Henry the Boston goalie who shakes Richard's hand after his game/series winning goal in the playoffs is lifted right out of the hockey history books--an amazing detail.
If you're not from Quebec, and more specifically from Montreal, then it may be hard to understand the impact that this man had on the province. He was, during his playing days, literally seen as a religious icon. This movie does an amazing job at telling the story of the Rocket's lasting social impact upon Quebec, and it does so in a very quiet and compelling fashion.
I should also point out the incredible detail that has gone into this film. As well as being an excellent actor, Roy Dupuis is a dead-ringer for the rocket. Mike Ricci is a carbon copy of Elmer Lach, and Vincent Lecavalier is a ringer for Jean Beliveau. The cages separating standing room from the seats were an actual feature of the forum through the 40s, and very much a symbol of French-Canadian working class discontent in Montreal at the time. The photograph sequence of Sugar Henry the Boston goalie who shakes Richard's hand after his game/series winning goal in the playoffs is lifted right out of the hockey history books--an amazing detail.