The Rocket

The Rocket

RATED: PG for hockey violence and themes that might upset some children.
RUNNING TIME: 124 Minutes
PLOT: Maurice "The Rocket" Richard becomes Canada’s first French hockey legend and the NHL’s most dominant player of the ‘40s and ‘50s.
STARS: Roy Dupuis (Maurice Richard), Stephen McHattie (Dick Irvin Sr.), Julie Le Breton (Lucille Richard).

Gord Burt 5 Stars

In a country where hockey is a religion, there’s nothing more sacred than our hockey legends and Maurice Richard stands above them all.

Much like Richard himself, The Rocket is at times a dark and moody film, punctuated by inspirational moments. The movie perfectly captures Richard’s quiet intensity, especially in the face of so much adversity. He was one of those rare beings that actually lived up to the hype. He was a man of integrity who loved the game and excelled at it.

Roy Dupuis portrays the late hockey icon as if he had been bred for the role having tacked the part in the Canadian Heritage commercials. Its an uncanny performance, replete with Richard’s famous fiery eyes so fierce that his glare unhinged rival goaltenders.

The Rocket is as much about language as the forging of an icon. The Rocket’s rise as the first French-speaking idol coincided with the Francophone search for identity in postwar Canada. The real depth in the film comes from its backdrop of language oppression, elevating the movie above the standard sports biography.

The film is bookended by the Richard Riot in March 1955 in Montreal. Rioting broke out after NHL president Clarence Campbell suspended Richard for the rest of the season, including playoffs, for assaulting a referee, effectively costing the Canadians superstar the scoring trophy and ruining Montreal’s chances at a Stanley Cup.

The Rocket is reminiscent of Seabiscuit as the protagonist becomes a symbol for the working class. It’s also similar because the cinematography is artfully spliced with archival footage. You can really get lost in the details, in the authenticity of the antique cars and trolleys, in the fedoras, in the smoky living rooms filled with furnishings and fixtures of a bygone era.

Many of Richard’s greatest moments are included, such as being the only player named all three stars after a five goal performance, the goal he scored with Detroit’s Earl Seibert on his back all the way in from the blue line, and his greatest feat, when he made history during the 1944-45 season by scoring 50 goals in 50 games.

Better known as Saint Maurice in Quebec, this film, with its celebration of the fervour and near idolatry surrounding Richard, is a perfect movie from start to finish and a wonderful tribute to the greatest Canadians player ever.

Erin Harde 4 Stars

The Canadian answer to James J. Braddock, Maurice Richard’s story should inspire all kinds of audiences from those full of hockey fans to those who don’t know what a hat trick is. It will also be a source of pride for French Canadians, but non-Quebecers will also be touched by the story of The Rocket.

We can also take pride in Roy Dupuis, the Canadian actor who so finely portrays the hockey legend. His performance is as good as Russell Crowe’s in Cinderella Man. Both Braddock and Richard suffered hard times and their sport meant a chance to break even more than a shot at fame. Dupuis is stoic; the few words he utters are delivered with grace and purpose. "I don’t make small talk," he tells his future wife, conveying his feelings for her in silence.

On the ice, his dedication is admirable. Through injury and insult, Richard keeps his nose down, doing what it takes to stay with the Habs including bowing to racism. He also takes a lot of hits, and his opponents are rarely handed penalties because Richard is French. Some of the fight scenes are gruesome as blood covers the players’ jerseys and the gleaning ice. But it’s not without humour. With one punch, Richard drops an intimidating player, stunning everyone in the building.

The storytelling is also unique; you hear it from the reporter’s newscast on the radio, from excited fans on the streetcar, from the barber who reads the daily news. The format brings a authenticity to the movie and draws the viewer back into that time. There are also other details that help create the story of Maurice Richard, not just Richard the hockey player. There are many scenes with Richard at work in the factory or at home with his wife; it’s not all ice time.

For a hockey movie, the film is also visually interesting. The majority of the outside scenes are in black and white in contrast to the colour of the indoor shots. With such a striking face, the director also does well to frequently focus in on Dupuis’s handsome features.

Few hockey movies are without passion, but The Rocket also brings a landmark event in French Canadian history to the forefront, thus bringing more relevance to the film than if it were just your average biography of a sports hero.

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I had the honour of meeting The Rocket on several occasions. I have posted a scan of a hockey card he was kind enough to sign for me. It's one of my most treasured items.