Bleed For This – Film Review by Frank L

Directed by Ben Younger
Writers: Ben Younger (screenplay), Ben Younger (story)
Stars: Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal

Director Ben Younger tells the story of the reckless determination of Vinny Pazienza, a junior world light middle weight boxing champion, in the early nineteen nineties. It is set in Rhode Island where Vinny Pazienza lived with his Italian immigrant family. He had to overcome many obstacles to achieve his world championship. Having done so, tragedy then struck. He received serious spinal injuries to his neck in a car crash. Younger concentrates on the trials and tribulations which Pazienza faced as he attempted to recover his health and more improbably Pazienza’s desire to return to the boxing ring.

An important part of the story is Pazienza’s extended Italian family. The family comes as one package with his larger than life father Angelo (Ciaran Hinds) and his devout Roman Catholic mother Louise (Katey Sagal) to the fore. She leaves God in no doubt as to the various challenges and trials her son has to face in the boxing ring. They are highly supportive of their son after the car accident but do not conceive of a return to the boxing ring. His trainer Aaron Eckhart turns out to be somewhat more malleable when faced with Pazienza’s single mindedness.

Miles Teller (Whiplash 2014) as Pazienza looks as if he has taken a few knocks in the boxing ring as his features are not without blemish. In order to play the role, he had not only to get his body into fine shape, he had to learn the skills of boxing. The result is a performance that exudes the aura of authenticity. The other central figure is his coach Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) who drives Pazienza to success in the ring. But this single mindedness drilled into Pazienza becomes a problem after the car accident. Rooney’s lessons to Pazienza in self-determination have been too well learnt. The resulting conflicts between Rooney and Pazienza and subsequently between the Pazienza family and the two of them make for a gripping tale. Everyone to a degree is at risk but most importantly Pazienza himself is gambling for the highest stakes.

If you dislike boxing avoid this movie. If you like a-little-guy-taking-on-the-world story this one is hard to beat.