MEN OF HONOUR (15)

ROBERT De Niro makes his return to a more serious genre in this 1950s, film based around fighting racism and adversity in the Navy.

Set in New Jersey in 1952 the story follows young go-getting sailor Carl Brashear, (Cuba Gooding Jnr), who has his sights set on becoming a navy diver.

However, he faces a major obstacle in the institutional racism present in the Navy.

Ignored by colleagues and abused by teachers, Brashear only has his ambition and the eventual support of master diver Billy Sunday (Robert De Niro), who is somewhat of a loose canon himself.

The film, which is based on a true story, does rely on the popularity of the triumph over adversity angle and the good old U S of A spirit, which often involves lots of high fives, cheering and whooping when something good happens.

However, director George Tillman Jnr, does tackle a very serious issue and includes a variety of dramatic moments along the way.

Cuba Gooding adds his usual likeable presence to proceedings gaining support from the off, whereas De Niro reverts to his Goodfellas tough guy image which does not really fit in with the story or setting.

The film could be fairly described as tenuous, stretching out everything further than is needed but if battles against adversity are your thing, then it could well please.

Verdict: Gooding Gooding

Rating: 4/10

REVIEWED BY PETE HENSHAW

COMPETITION

CONTINUING the Guardian's weekly cinema competition, we have another family ticket for the film of your choice at the Odeon in Festival Park, Hanley.

The four tickets, worth £20, will be valid from Monday through until Thursday for a film of the winner's choosing as long as you can get to the theatre yourself.

To enter just answer the following question about this week's film review and send the answer along with a daytime telephone number to The Cinema Competition, Crewe and Nantwich Guardians, 42 High Street, Crewe, CW2 7BN or e-mail crewe@guardiangrp.co.uk with your answer.

To have a chance of winning just tell us the name of another sea based film and have your answers in by April 5, the winner for the March 22 Enemy at The Gates Competition is Mrs S H Bailey.