Men of Honor

Against formidable odds -- and an old-school diving instructor embittered by the U.S. Navy's new, less prejudicial policies -- Carl Brashear sets his sights on becoming the Navy's first African-American master diver in this uplifting true story. Their relationship starts out on the rocks, but fate ultimately conspires to bring the men together into a setting of mutual respect, triumph and honor.

Critics were split on this Cuba Gooding Jr. and Robert De Niro vehicle, broadly agreeing it follows a predictable inspirational-biopic formula while disagreeing on whether the two leads do enough to lift it above those conventions. Audiences responded far more warmly than critics, suggesting the film's old-fashioned sincerity plays better outside the reviewing context.