This film is a case of what could have been. Several years ago John Polson, after having read Fazio's script, showed real interest in directing the film. Had he done so, the film would not only have had a talented director at the helm but it would have attracted international interest as well due to Polson's fame. Polson drew the line with Fazio starring in the picture and the writer was determined to star in his own film, so the two parted company.
Enter Shawn Seet as director and the result is a film that, for the most part, drags on to the point of losing the viewer's interest. The development of both the plot and relationships between most of the characters was tedious. It was too obvious what was going to happen.
I thought the film also suffered from a mish mash of acting talent with both stand out performances and cringe inducing ones. Fantastichini, Amalm, and Marais were all good in their roles, however Fazio and some of his mates could do with more acting lessons. Polson obviously saw what was coming.
The one real saving grace of the film however are the boxing scenes. Of all the boxing movies I have seen, these are the most realistic. Apart from Amalm, all the people in these scenes are real boxers who are actually going toe to toe with one another. Not even Raging Bull had more realism in the fight scenes. Unfortunately more was needed between these scenes.
Enter Shawn Seet as director and the result is a film that, for the most part, drags on to the point of losing the viewer's interest. The development of both the plot and relationships between most of the characters was tedious. It was too obvious what was going to happen.
I thought the film also suffered from a mish mash of acting talent with both stand out performances and cringe inducing ones. Fantastichini, Amalm, and Marais were all good in their roles, however Fazio and some of his mates could do with more acting lessons. Polson obviously saw what was coming.
The one real saving grace of the film however are the boxing scenes. Of all the boxing movies I have seen, these are the most realistic. Apart from Amalm, all the people in these scenes are real boxers who are actually going toe to toe with one another. Not even Raging Bull had more realism in the fight scenes. Unfortunately more was needed between these scenes.