Men of Honor MPAA Rating: R Entertainment: +3 Content: -3

Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), the son of a Kentucky sharecropper, leaves his home and joins the Navy to provide more income to his family. But in the early 1950s, the military still has a segregated mindset that saw black men as cooks and cleaners. But when he sees a Navy diver defy a commanding officer and risk his life to rescue another man, he knows he wants to be a diver. It takes two years and over a hundred letters before hes accepted to Navy dive school. Master Chief Billy Sunday (Robert DeNiro), who initially inspired Carl, is a legendary Master Diver and now instructor at the school. But with prejudice still strong in the elite group, Carl has to overcome more than the usual obstacles. Chief Sunday begins to see Carl has the same pride, determination and honor that drives him. But it will take more than honor to overcome an accident that handicaps Carl. An exciting and riveting story, crowds will cheer for Carl all the way.

Based on real life events, although not completely autobiographical, the story captures the qualities and events that led Carl Brashear to overcome both prejudice and handicaps to become the first black enlisted man in the Navy to earn the Master Diver certification. The real Carl even served as technical advisor to the production. When his diving career is cut short, Sunday turns to drink which starts a downward spiral ending in a rehab hospital. But Sunday and Carl are both fighters who recover to battle young, bureaucratic Navy officers into upholding the honor and traditions of the Navy. While drinking is shown, Sundays drunkenness is not condoned. However, much of the objectionable language comes from his swearing like a sailor. Gods name is taken in vain over 20 times, mostly by Sunday. In training school, he comments about a preacher by the same name working for God, but the instructor says he is God. An uplifting and inspirational story, MEN OF HONOR uses too much dishonorable language.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor: Fox 2000 Pictures, 10201 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90035