Wow! Maybe it was due to low expectations or perhaps it's because of the current crop of unfulfilling releases. What ever the case may be, I thoroughly enjoyed Men of Honor, a beautifully acted film that really works.

Taken from the memoirs of Carl Brashear (played with true, fiery conviction by Cuba Gooding Jr.), it tells the story of the first African American to serve as a deep sea diver for the U.S. Navy, and the incredible obstacles he had to overcome to reach that goal. Robert DeNiro is fantastic as a bitter, abrasive diver who trains others to put there lives on the line.

Many will argue that Men of Honor runs too long, and tends to be a bit sappy, and that may be true. But this film is also a very moving and inspirational experience fueled by the power of tremendous performances by it's two leads. I also liked the way the racial issues were presented. This film seemed much more thoughtful and true than many other movies that deal with the same subject matter--Remember the Titans springs to mind. That was a good film, but much of it seemed overly melodramatic. Perhaps this Men of Honor works better because it's not merely about race. This picture is an earnest attempt at showing the triumph of the human spirit.

Clocking in at nearly 2 hours and 10 minutes, the film went directions I wasn't expecting, and documented an intriguing part of history I knew nothing about. George Tillerman (Soul Food) does tend to over dramatize a bit, but this never undercuts the pure, authentic material that the film deals with. DeNiro (drawing a little from his evil turn in Cape Fear) is explosive as a sort of unlikable character that you really come to care about, while Gooding is his equally fierce but far more restrained counterpart. The dynamic between the two works beautifully as these passionate men grow to respect one another.

If I have a complaint about Men of Honor, it's the relationship between Gooding and his girlfriend. It seems rushed and under developed. This is, however, based on a true story, and there is much ground to cover. It should also be noted, that this isn't enough to take away from the power of the film.

Men of Honor is a big, rousing, piece of inspirational entertainment that cast it's spell over me. In a holiday season full of disappointments, this is one film that took me by surprise. Check out this heartwarming gem before it's gone. It is one of the best pictures of the year!