Split Decisions

I can't remember if I saw this Movie at the theatre but have Loved it since I found the VHS at my local Video Store Years back. In remembrance of Gene Hackman s Birthday I bought the DVD on Amazon and rewatched again. Totally underated Boxing Movie that is For Sure. The Fighting McGuinns could match up with ROCKY in the Ring anyway. Straight Forward Story. Mob Guys want something the Brothers won't do and Dad and Grandad help. Pretty Violent but Brothers Love Strong ! Family Loyalty abides.

Eddie McGuinn is a young amateur boxer who's good enough for the Olympics. His brother Ray also boxes, but he's an egotistical hothead who aligns himself with lowlifes. When the mob tells Ray to lose a fight against "Snake" Pedroza, he refuses, and is killed by mafia thugs and Pedroza himself. As a result, Eddie decides to put his Olympic dreams behind and turn pro so he can fight Pedroza himself, and avenge his brother's death.

Simply it is amazing, it may not be one of Hackman's best known films but it is one of his best.

A must see.

On February 18th of 2025, the mighty actor Gene Hackman passed away. I have a tradition to pay tribute to a deceased cinema deity by watching/reviewing one or two of their lesser known (but hopefully worthwhile) movies. For Gene Hackman, however, I want to expand the tribute. He was such an indescribably brilliant and versatile actor. Since he's listed in my top 5 of greatest performers of ALL times, he deserves a full month of homage. Rest in peace, Mr. Hackman, and thanks for the many great movies.

Speaking of lesser known, this might be Hackman's most obscure effort. Together with one or two other titles on his resume, it was the only title I never heard of before. Understandably so, because "Split Decisions" is a mundane and unremarkable sports drama/thriller, and Gene Hackman is obviously TOO good in comparison with the script, the production values, and the rest of the cast. He stars as the old-fashioned and stubborn Irish coach in New York, and father of two multi-talented boxers. He has a difficult relationship with the oldest, Ray, because he chose for professional boxing and does fights for dubious promotors. He focuses on his youngest son Eddie instead, because he combines boxing with studying and aims to partake in the Olympics. When Ray is put under pressure to lose a prestigious fight, he refuses and gets murdered. Eddie wants to take over the fight against the notorious Latino boxer Pedroza, but then he needs his father's coaching help.

"Split Decisions" is hopelessly clichéd, predictable, ineffectively sentimental, and quite frankly rather boring. Everything looks cheap and rushed, especially the editing and the available filming locations, and there isn't a single story "twist" you can't predict. There are several known names in the cast (Jennifer Beals, Craig Sheffer, James Tolkan, Jeff Fahay, ...) but they all stand in the shadow of Gene Hackman (and he's not even giving his best).

Following a well worn cliché path, "Split Decisions" is far from original, nevertheless I found it entertaining. The three generations of Irish boxers seem to be in constant turmoil, but in the end stand together nicely. Gene Hackman is not the star here, even with top billing. It is Craig Sheffer and Jeff Fahey, as Hackman's sons, who carry the film. Jennifer Beals really has nothing to do, and is totally wasted. Character development is good, and the truncated boxing scenes are exciting............................. If you are willing to accept this revenge in the ring film for what it is, it is very watchable. - MERK

It's hard to believe they actually made this film. What were they thinking? Better yet, what were Gene Hackman, Jeff Fahey, and Jennifer Beals thinking? They do a decent job in the acting area but the plot is so stale it looks like a fight film from the 40s. And the fight scenes are so staged it looks an amateur film. I mean, after "Rocky" we are all used to some pretty good fight scenes where it looks like the guy is actually being hit.

If you like fight films there are two good Rocky films, especially the first which I thought was excellent. As they continued to make them they ultimately devalued the original, but at the time I thought it was brilliant. Now that it is a cliché it's hard to remember how powerful the original was. In addition to Rocky I liked "The Fighter" (2010), "Warrior" (2011), "Fight Club" (1999), "Raging Bull" (1980), "Cinderella Man" (2005), "Champion" (1949), and "The Set-up" (1949). Of course I've left out the Kung Fu genre.