ASNF - The Color of Courage. Review on Men of Honour Movie

I am in the Navy. Where I come from there ain't nothing but farms and I get to do nothing but driving mules. No self respecting Navy guy makes a living driving Mules. I am going to pass the diving school, because they told me I cant. Forgive me sir, but to me, the Navy isn't a business. It's an organization of people who represent the finest aspects of our nation. We have many traditions. In my career, I have encountered most of them. Some are good, some not so good. I would, however not be here today were it not for our greatest tradition of all. For Honor sir.

I have reviewed a book ''Unlimited Power'', where there is a particular section called Limitations disengagement. This book talks about how to overcome the greatest fear that limits our mortal minds, to achieving something we dream of. There are two kinds of dreams- one who dream to make it happen. The other , is just a wishful thinking. I belong to , sorry to say, the latter, trying desperately to make my dreams happen. But one roadblock or the other stops me, It limits me, not just my dreams, but my mind. It takes an enormous courage and determination to see it through.

The color of the skin speaks its own tales, has its own entry or rejection as the case may be. There was a time when the saying went on '' you can go to heaven if you are white, the blacks are doomed for Hell''. This review you find the ''N'' word replaced by ''blacks''. We all know the black history. We know and we heard the colored treatment they got. Pun intended. There are some like Malcolm X , and Martin L. King, who defied the race system. But still, the racism does exist, as much as the devil does.

Men of honor, is an amazing real life story of Carl Brashear (Cuba Gooding Jr.), who was the first colored cadet in a Navy Diving School, where Billy Sunday (Robert De Nero) generally loud mouthed was a diving instructor with an attitude. Carl nurtured a childhood dream of being in the navy. When he got there, the only responsibilities the blacks are given is swapping the ship deck and cooking in the kitchen. At a time , when it was impossible for a color to even enroll in the Diving school, graduating from such , is a far impossible dream. He leaves his home when his father tells him ''You dont come back son'', Intending to say , dont come back till you get your dreams come true. He carries with him a wooden hand made radio which has ''ASNF inscribed on it. Till some point in the movie Carl never knew what it meant.

After two years serving on a ship and several letters to the committee, Carl was finally approved entry into the diving school. Owing to his daring feats at the ship , when he jumped into the sea and swam a nautical mile in records time. Despite being in trouble, that behavior does get him in the good book of his superior who said ''You are bravest I have ever seen, and you got the balls to back it up''. Carl's presence there agitated some whites who said '' I dont bunk with blacks''. Fighting every hurdle, that came in his way Carl Brashear goes on to become the first black to be a master diver. Do you think his battles end here, or has it just begun ?.

The attraction in this on-screen biography has two main ingredients - Oscar winners , Robert De Nero and Cuba Gooding Jr. Cuba Gooding Jr.'s performance was remarkable, a wild transition from a farm boy, a curious teenager to a matured and responsible navy diver. Robert De Nero's performance was fabulous. His Kentucky hillbilly accent is a total change to the usual Italian accent one gets to hear. you got to hear him referring to Carl as ''cookie''

There is a scene I liked , where Billy sunday broke the radio in a fit of anger. He sees the ''ASNF'' and asked ''What the hell did he ( Carls father) ever say to make you try so hard? '' , and Carl replies '' To Be the Best''. '' Well you are '' comes the reply. Billy Sunday fixed the radio and another inscription was added to ASNF which says ''A Son Never Forgets''

And for Desserts....

The story in Men of Honour is not just a real life story of Carl Brashear, but pays a tribute to the courageous, the brave , who defy every odd till it happens to them. Till the last minute of the movie we could see the struggle of a Man who intends to keep his honour of being in the navy, despite the fact that his color might be a hurdle. There are many among us struggling to survive, and come out in flying colors, Pun intended again. Till then, I wish all those who are fighting their battles , success in the outcome of their struggles.

Review is dedicated to my Dad who has taught me to face anything and everything that comes my way with a smile. It is my way of saying - ''A son Never forgets''''

Comments Most Welcome

Davieboy