Heart of a Champion

There's a reason why this movie has some negative reviews, or low score ratings. As a "boxing-only" movie, it fails to deliver unrealistic sequencies people tend to enjoy (like Rocky), or constant action filled with plot twists. Movie is simple, but this is not necessarily a bad thing. The movie's heart is a subtle message delivered through Eddie Brenan's fight agaisn't not only another boxer, but also, agaisn't time, failure and life. Eddie is a not so great man, with a no so great life. Not a big house, nor an important job. No purpose, no fate, only a man moving around and living day by day, without a goal and thus, without a sense of being. In some point of his life he started with boxing but age started to strike and with it, he started to fail and be left behind, with he being now recognized only when his descent is brought into conversation.

... however, he is all (heart). Eddie keeps standing up, keeps trying, keeps training, in an attempt to prove those who surround him, and more importantly, to prove himself, he has what it takes to make a fight, and win it (be it in a ring, or in his soul).

Movie is then a rollarcoaster of emotions when you deeply understand Eddie's character and what he is going through. With a realistic touch, from beginning to end.

There is a strong echo of the boxing movie "Rocky" in "Heart", as well as strong echoes from countless boxing movies from the golden age of Hollywood. As a result, the plot is extremely predictable and contains no surprises. It could still have probably worked, at least in a dated sense, but there are additional problems. The biggest problem is the main character played by Brad Davis. Davis tries hard, but his efforts are ultimately defeated by the fact that we never really get a glimpse of what is going on in this character's head. We never find out what is really driving him or what he is thinking or feeling. The movie is not a complete waste, I admit. The movie looks pretty good despite its low budget, and has a somewhat effective gritty feeling at times. It's also directed in a down-to-earth style, with no strident feeling. And it's fun to see a young pre-fame Steve Buscemi. But it's not enough to make the movie worth watching, unless you have never seen a boxing movie before in your life.

I watched HEART because of the interesting cast. Well, as good as the cast is, nothing can compensate for the dull and dreary script and direction.

The film wants to be serious and on a certain level it does achieve a realistic portrayal of a boxer's life but making a movie that's dreary and dull does not automatically equal greatness. Some directors, writers or producers seem to confuse greatness with dullness, which I'll never understand. And this slight film definitely suffers from this artistic affliction.

If you want to see where Steve Buscemi started or one of Brad Davis' last films, in which he, again, often appears in his underwear (see MIDNIGHT EXPRESS or QUERELLE), well you should check this out. But aside from the cast, I don't see any other reason to watch this.