Identified for his sports activities movies similar to White Males Can’t Soar and Bull Durham, writer-director Ron Shelton has proven again and again that he’s greater than able to making a sports activities film work. Nonetheless, when his 1999 function Play It to the Bone was launched, it was a complete field workplace flop regardless of having an enormous solid of acquainted faces. Critics panned it, followers have been left unhappy, and the movie wasn’t even capable of break even on its $24 million price range. Basically, it was a failure on each entrance. Right now, it holds a depressing 11% Tomatometer rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
After 25 years, although, it is likely to be time to revisit the movie. It’s not all unhealthy — the story follows two ageing boxers: Vince Boudreau (Woody Harrelson) and Cesar Dominguez (Antonio Banderas). When a possibility arises for these two good mates to have one final struggle, they fortunately take the possibility. The one twist is that the struggle is between one another. A variety of what follows isn’t concerning the struggle immediately, however concerning the world of boxing and the connection between the leads.
Mixing Boxing with a Riveting Street Journey
Play It to the Bone isn’t nearly boxing. It’s additionally, basically, a highway film. A lot of the plot revolves round the truth that Vince and Cesar can’t afford the flights from LA to Las Vegas, in order that they determine to drive as an alternative. They’re pushed by their mutual good friend Grace (Lolita Davidovich), the romantic curiosity for each boxers. All through this highway journey, earlier occasions within the trio’s lives are introduced up and mentioned. Shelton ensures, nonetheless, that this doesn’t take an excessive amount of focus away from the inevitable boxing match which is coming.
The movie options Woody Harrelson, Antonio Banderas, Lolita Davidovich, Lucy Liu, Robert Wagner, Kevin Costner, Tom Sizemore, Mike Tyson, James Woods, Drew Carey, Jennifer Tilly, George Foreman, Wesley Snipes, Rod Stewart, Tony Curtis, and extra.
The dialog between the three central characters on their journey right down to Vegas facilities primarily across the friendship between Vince and Cesar. The nostalgia they share for the years and years wherein they’ve been mates is palpable, and Shelton’s script is adept at guaranteeing that everyone feels rounded and fleshed-out. The viewers is given causes to care about these characters. There’s additionally a beautiful quirk within the movie the place Vince retains convincing himself he’s noticed the reincarnation of Jesus Christ at numerous factors alongside the journey, which appears like a pleasant contact to the character.
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Highly effective Performances and Acquainted Faces
Whereas numerous the criticism leveled at Play It to the Bone is because of an obvious incapacity to painting the boxing world precisely, one thing which shouldn’t be understated is that Harrelson, Banderas, and Davidovich are actually, actually good. All three actors really feel like they’ve a pure chemistry, and this brings their performances up. The characters really feel actual, and their relationships with one another are plausible.
Moreover, Play It to the Bone options an enormous variety of visitor cameos, primarily within the ultimate boxing match scene. Followers together with the ring are performed by a spread of acquainted faces, from Kevin Costner to Tony Curtis. Rod Stewart reveals up at one level in character as himself — as does Mike Tyson. Rounded out with Robert Wagner as Hank and Lucy Liu as Lia, this film is a star-studded curio to look at for individuals who love to identify huge names in smaller roles.