Hands of Stone
Film
Review
by Kam Williams
Career of
Boxing Legend Roberto
Duran Revisited in Revisionist Tale of Redemption
Roberto
Duran (Edgar Ramirez) is considered by most fight experts to be,
pound-for-pound, one of the greatest boxers of all time. The
intimidating icon earned his nickname "Hands of Stone" by
virtue of his prodigious displays of punching power.
Born
in Panama in 1951, Roberto exhibited promise from the moment he first
entered the ring at the age of 8. He turned pro at 16 and assumed the
World Lightweight title at Madison Square Garden in 1972 after Ken
Buchanan (John Duddy) failed to answer the bell for the 14th round.
Roberto went on to knock out over 50 foes en route to compiling an
impressive 62-1 record as a lightweight before moving up in weight
class.
By
the time he retired in 2002, Roberto would also hold the world
welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight titles. But despite
that incredible feat, he appears fated to be best remembered for
crying "No mas!" before quitting midway through his
Welterweight World Championship rematch with Sugar Ray Leonard
(Usher Raymond). And although he would eventually return to the ring,
that one display of cowardice effectively overshadowed his sizable
subsequent achievements.
Written
and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz (Secuestro Express), Hands
of Stone is a reverential biopic which humanizes Roberto while
putting a positive spin on his indelible stain. This version of his
story blames Duran's failing on his parasitic manager, Carlos Eleta
(Ruben Blades), as well as on pressure from the big fight's promoter,
Don King (Reg E. Cathey).
Here,
we're treated to the backstage specter of a burnt-out Roberto
bemoaning his being exploited. "I worked all my life. I didn't
have any fun, when I was a kid." Truth be told, not only did he
begin boxing young, but he married at an early age, too, 17. And his
wife Felicidad (Ana de Armas) was only 14 when they tied the knot.
FYI, the couple went on to have 8 children and are still together 47
years later.
If
the movie has a flaw, it's in the fight scenes which leave a lot to
be desired. Anyone expecting cinema verite on the order of Rocky or
Raging Bull, for which Robert De Niro won an Academy Award in 1981,
is destined to be disappointed.
Speaking
of De Niro, he plays the legendary Ray Arcel who came out of
retirement over death threats from the Mafia to train a teenaged
Duran. Before you can say "Burgess Meredith," he whips the
promising protege into fighting shape, and it's just a matter of time
before his diamond in the rough's rags-to-riches dream becomes a
reality.
A
touching, revisionist tale of redemption presenting the sensitive
side of a pulverizing pugilist.
Very Good (3
stars)
Rated R
for sexuality, nudity and pervasive profanity
In
English and Spanish with subtitles
Running time: 105 minutes
Distributor: The Weinstein Company
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