Synopsis:
Nominated for thirteen Genies--Canada's Academy Awards--and winner of nine, THE ROCKET examines the life and career of hockey superstar Maurice Richard, known as the Rocket. Raised in a...
Nominated for thirteen Genies--Canada's Academy Awards--and winner of nine, THE ROCKET examines the life and career of hockey superstar Maurice Richard, known as the Rocket. Raised in a working-class family, Richard was a machinist in an industrial factory by day, then played hockey after work, eventually earning an invitation to the Montreal Canadiens training camp. Despite his relatively small size and his previous injuries, he surprised everyone--except himself and his wife, Lucille--by making the team, and he soon became one of the game's greatest players. But a bias against French-speaking Canadians left him vulnerable to attacks both on and off the ice throughout his illustrious career, ultimately leading to riots that rocked Montreal. Written by Ken Scott and directed by Charles Binamé, THE ROCKET portrays Richard as a softspoken family man who just wanted to go about his business without any dramatic fanfare. But he was forced into the spotlight because of his heritage and his unique talent; other teams would send their goons out to harass him during games, and the referees and the league commissioner would do nothing to protect him. Yet he persevered, not allowing anything to stop him. Roy Dupuis gives a wonderfully understated performance as Richard, with Julie Le Breton as the wife who stands by him through thick and thin. Stephen McHattie is outstanding as longtime Montreal Canadiens coach Dick Irvin, who pushed Richard to help him succeed. Hockey fans will delight in cameos by such real-life players as Stéphane Quintal, Patrice Robitaille, Vincent Lecavalier, Ian Laperriere, Mike Ricci, and Sean Avery, as well as actors playing such famed hockey figures as Frank Selke, Clarence Campbell, Toe Blake, Boom Boom Geoffrion, Conn Smythe, and others.
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