There are champions in the sports’ arena, but there are also champions in life.  Vinny Pazienza is just that champion in both life and sports as his drive and determination, against all odds, allowed him to obtain the comeback of a lifetime.  Pazienza, a former professional boxer and world champion, at the peak of his career was in a life-altering car accident, fracturing his spine.  Recovering from this injury just to walk again would seem unlikely, but Pazienza wanted to fight again and become the champion he felt he was destined to be.  “Bleed for This,” starring Miles Teller, tells this remarkable tale of determination, recreating Pazienza’s life on the silver screen.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

For those of you who think this is just a story about boxing, another Rocky-type of film, you’d be wrong.  Although boxing is the vehicle that drives the film, it captures the heart and soul of a man who couldn’t accept the probable outcome of his accident.  “Bleed for This,” written and directed by Ben Younger, chronicles Pazienza’s life before he gained world-champion status. Taking place back in the 80’s, we are transported back to a time of shag carpet and plastic runners with oil-cloth table covers in the depressed New England area.  This tight-knit Italian family, living in Rhode Island, is as involved and stereotypical as you could imagine, bringing a beautifully interesting element to the story.   Pazienza’s confidence and lust for life comes across as clear as a bell.  He gains stature in the boxing world, and just before he fights in a new weight class for another champship belt, the accident occurs.  His family and friends, thankful for his survival, are less supportive of him training to get back into the ring.  Pazienza forges ahead, against all medical advice, knowing that the consequences could end his life.  But his trainer, Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) sticks with him, sometimes reluctantly so. It’s truly a passionate story about what drives all of us and what living means to each of us, individually.

Vinnie Pazienza

Teller creates a believable fighter and for those who recall this boxer, they say he truly embodies Pazienza.  He lives and breathes boxing and Teller gives us this sense.  Physically, he’s bulked up and film sequences show that he can move in a boxing ring.  Eckhart’s character is much more complex than I would have predicted.  He has a drinking problem, relationship issues, and is a bit of a has-been.  His character yo-yos back and forth between giving up and driving ahead, much like we all do in real life.  We feel his pain and seem to understand his deep emotional discord and internal conflict, just by watching his reactions.  It’s not so much what he says, it’s how he says it.  Eckhart’s portrayal of Rooney wonderfully balances the straightforward unquestioning personality of Teller’s Pazienza.  Ciaran Hinds stands out as the strong and  proud yet emotionally conflicted father.  The entire cast is just as strong as Pazienza’s upper right cut.

Whenever you have a film that centers around a sport, particularly boxing, the cinematography is as much of a character as the actors.  The camera brings you into the boxing ring as you witness each devastating blow to the head, gut, and ribs.  It captures the brutality of this, in my mind, rather barbaric sport.  The grainy texture to the film also brings us back in time to capture the 1980’s to give us an almost tactile experience.

“Bleed for This” is more than a boxing film.  It’s a film about heart and determination.  The story is beautifully told in a linear fashion to take us along Vinnie’s journey.  If you didn’t know the story already, it might seem to be a predictable one, but remember, this is a true story.  What is of concern to me, as I review films like this, is that it doesn’t portray the long-term results of constant head trauma, aka boxing.  Movies like this seem to encourage youngsters to delve into whatever sport it portrays.  I would be personally remiss if I didn’t mention this aspect of the film.

7 REELS out of 10

The concept of Harry Potter isn’t dead (did he die at the end of the final film/book?  I can’t remember.) with J.K. Rowling’s newest endeavor taking viewers and readers back in time to before the infamous wizard was even born.  Eddie Redmayne and Katherine Waterston star in this film full of more CGI than actual dialogue or story, making it a rather dull and boring prequel to the unprecedented Harry Potter series.

WATCH THE TRAILER HERE

Dan Fogler as Kowalski

Newt Scamander (Redmayne) travels to New York City in search of additions for his enchanted briefcase full of endangered and misunderstood magical animals.  With a “muggle-worthy” button, Scamander safely makes it through Ellis Island, bumping into the characters that would be a part of his life over the next day.  Tina, an ex-investigator for the wizard population, spies Scamander, an undocumented wizard in America, breaking all the rules in the book of how to interact with the No-Madges (we knew them as Muggles, those that have no magical skills).  Attempting to bring him in to her superiors, we learn of very dark forces surfacing and wreaking havoc on the city.  Along the way, Scamander has a chance encounter with Kowalski (Dan Fogler), a wanna-be pastry baker who sees much more than any other mere mortal should.  The two find themselves in an unlikely friendship as they attempt to save the creatures and the world from the ultimate evil.

The story as it is described, sounds quite appealing.  However, the constant and drawn-out scenes of CGI special effects including a myriad number explosions as we watch these characters run away becomes monotonous and takes away from the story-line.  Redmayne as the lead augments the boredom with his flat-lined portrayal of Scamander.  He has no charm, depth, or much of a personality and his body posture looks like he’s a dog who’s been beaten and is head-shy.  Eye contact and interaction between he and any character is minimal making him appear detached and unappealing.  Waterston has an equally cardboard performance.  The saving grace are the two supporting actors,  Fogler and Samantha Morton who plays Mary Lou, Tina’s sister.  Their adorable attraction with one another and awkwardly sweet interactions are absolutely comical  and entertaining.  Whenever the two are on-screen, the level of appeal rises dramatically.  Both actors show charm and skill to bring a personality that is lovable to the story.

Samantha Morton as Mary Lou

Colin Farrell is also quite charismatic as the questionable leader, never revealing his true intentions.  It is unfortunate that Redmayne and Waterston didn’t bring their A-game to this film or perhaps the characters just weren’t developed in the script to the level they should have been.

“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” is a disappointment in story-telling.  It had the potential to be so rich and full of life to give Potter fans a background story, but falls short in delivering a story we care about.  The special effects are quite remarkable, but that cannot make a story.  The main characters are one-dimensional, but luckily the supporting actors are simply wonderful.  For Harry Potter fans, you might be disappointed in the lack of depth and complexity in this film.  For parents bringing your kids to this, buy a cup of coffee at the concession stand—you’re going to need it.

1 1/2 stars out of 4