Robert De Niro, Cuba Gooding Jr., Charlize Theron

Men of Honor presents a great role model for younger viewers, yet it's rated R due to abundant use of the F word. With appropriate discretion, parents should allow their preteen and teen...( read more  read more... )aged children to see this rousing if altogether conventional biopic inspired by the life of Carl Brashear. Played with gravity and gumption by Cuba Gooding Jr., Brashear was the first African American to become a master diver in the U.S. Navy, despite the lingering effects of segregation, opposition from Navy brass, and the amputation of his left leg following a tragic on-duty accident. Robert De Niro adds marquee value and salty bluster as Billy Sunday, the drunken, redneck (and fictionalized) Master Chief who watches, with gradual admiration, as Brashear attains his ultimate goal through sheer force of will.

This is all quite uplifting on its surface, but in attempting to hit the requisite highlights of an inspiring biography, director George Tillman Jr. (Soul Food) reduces Brashear's achievement to a succession of clichés, forcing Gooding and De Niro to battle sentiment with their noteworthy performances. As Sunday's neglected wife, Charlize Theron is completely extraneous; Hal Holbrook's diving-school commander is a ranting caricature; and newcomer Aunjanue Ellis barely registers as Brashear's wife (in part because their obligatory romance is handled with an utter lack of finesse). There's no question that Brashear's efforts are heroic and worthy of recognition, so Men of Honor serves its basic purpose. Still, one can't help but wonder if Brashear's story would be even more impressive with a more authentic treatment. --Jeff Shannon

Flixster Users

85% liked it

31,259 ratings

Critics

42% liked it

101 critics

R, 128 min.

Directed by: George Tillman Jr.

Release Date: November 10, 2000

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DVD Release Date: April 10, 2001

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Stats: 2,545 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (2,545)


  • January 31, 2009
    Cuba Gooding Jr's character Carl is the first African American to become a master diver in the US Navy.
  • August 14, 2008
    Typical of Hollywood to water down a brilliant story. Rather than being a passionate and moving film it's just schmaltzy manipulative drivel. De Niro and Gooding, Jr. are wonderful in their respective roles but the films writing turns it into just another triumph over adversity s...( read more)tory. It makes you want to stand up and applaud during the court room scenes. It builds no suspense as Gooding takes on different tasks as if he ISN'T going to make it. Some parts really are worth the time, such as De Niro's expression when he must award a white man the medal that Gooding earns, and Powers Booth who unfortunately disappears early on. It often feels like a parody due to it's familiar nature and as such fails to be a story that stays with the audience.
  • March 5, 2008
    Fantastic final scene
  • October 12, 2007
    This was moving and compleing...2 thumbs way up...
  • September 15, 2007
    Inspired by the life of Carl Brashear, who become the Navy's first African-American diver.
  • November 3, 2009
    great story, love movies based on true events
  • November 3, 2009
    Believe it or not IT'S A TRUE STORY!

    dey're both get Award from me too!
  • September 13, 2009
    Although it's easy from the onset of the film to see it's theme and developmental points, and even it's overall message, it is very dramatic in it's presentation.
  • September 13, 2009
    How underrated is this movie? Retarded underrated. This is what led Cuba to do Snow Dogs. You people are asses.
  • September 6, 2009
    Yep, nothing like a man on fire! A real test of character...great movie!

Critic Reviews


January 1, 2000
A.O. Scott, The New York Times

By the time its clunking climax rolls around, the film has built up enough honest good will that you can forgive its tear- jerking pomp. full review

January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

The movie is an old-fashioned biopic, and I mean that as a compliment. full review

January 1, 2000
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle

Gooding can't will this well-meaning film into life. full review

View more Men of Honor reviews at RottenTomatoes.com

Comments


  • angelamabar01
    December 4, 2008
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  • terris85017
    October 14, 2007
    Well...hard to believe no one has a comment on THIS FILM!! Perhaps a little known fact? Was it DeNiro or Gooding who said this on Actor's Theatre--DeNiro had to talk Cuba Gooding Jr into making this film, into having the faith in himself & courage to act this role....(2000 Director: George Tillman, Jr.) This is a true story of Carl Braesher & perhaps for that reason is in parts hard to watch (endure the racisms) And this film stars some of my favorite actos/actresses, starring Robert DeNiro as a very rough but real Solider & Cuba Gooding, jr. as the son of a poor rural dirt farmer with a wish for a better life for his son.... Navy Deep Sea Recovery (the men in the iron diving suits). The supporing cast is of equally high calibre & includes Charlize Theron as DeNiro's wealthy younger Southern belle who never gives up on him!.....Michael Rappaport & Powers Booth truly moved me in this film. Definitely a worth see...
  • munakhatib
    September 19, 2006
    this movie tells a great story .. i, personally , have learned so much from it ..

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Men of Honor Trivia


  • Which actor has starred in all of the following:- - Boyz n the Hood - Jerry Maguire - Men of Honor - The Tuskegee Airmen - Rat Race  Answer »
  • In the movie 'Men Of Honor', starring Robert DeNiro & Cuba Gooding Jr, what was the name of the course Cuba's character was attempting to pass?  Answer »
  • Movie where the words "ASNF A Son Never Forgets" was etched on the side of an old radio  Answer »
  • Name the actor/actress that has appeared in the following - Men of Honor, The Astronaut's Wife, and the Devil's Advocate?  Answer »

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