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.

There are many great sports films and The Rocket belongs among the best of the best. If you liked Cinderella Man i would hazard to say that you might like The Rocket even more, especially hockey fans. I, myself am a fan of the Montreal Canadians and took two friends who were not and they both said that it was a great, great movie.

I went into the theatre with modest expectations, as it was a Canadian made film without a huge budget and yet when i left i felt like i had to wipe the grime from the factory that the rocket worked off of my clothes. I have no doubt that this film will be nominated for best foreign film at the Oscars next year, you don't need to know who the rocket is to really enjoy this film.

Bravo!

Maurice Richard is a very good film about one of the most important Canadian athletes ever. The film addresses many issues concerning the famous Montreal riot, following a major penalty given to Richard just a few days before the beginning of the play-offs, and the "revolution tranquille" ignitor.

But this splendid film relates the story of an underdog player. His rise to hero and finally to that of a legend. It feels somewhat epic. The challenges Maurice faces are easy to relate to. You truly feel his angst has he's pushed around, beaten and bloodied. But still manages to overcome these problems and eventually becomes a symbol for every underdog who has ever dreamt of reaching the unreachable.

Maurice Richard isn't just a good quebecois film. It's simply a good film. Worth seeing.