Back in the Day

This movie could have been worse but I don't know how. To be fair, the make-up was pretty good. Other strong points were the costumes, the sound and some of the stunt work. There were actually 2 or 3 legitimate actors involved which might say something about either their desperate financial situation or owing someone a favor. On the minus side, some of the stunt work was bad, the acting amateur hour, the script was pathetic and the direction stunk. Who in their right mind financed this joke is the main question the viewer is left with. And that's why it's a troubling experience, even a painful one to watch Back in the Day. Like the title, a bad cliché from start to long awaited finish. And for those who like boxing movies this one will make you rush to a musical. It doesn't deserve a 1 but there's no 0 option.

This film tells the story of a man from Brooklyn, who grew up in a tough neighbourhood controlled by Mafia. With the support from the highest levels of gangsters, he becomes a successful boxer after going through a rough and tough journey.

I thought "Back in the Day" was a film about boxing, but it actually was a film about gangsters and their fights. I like the story because it tells how Anthony's​ childhood shapes the adult he becomes. He has a lot of good virtues, such as loyalty and determination. His friendship with Matty and his love for Maria are well portrayed, while the metaphorical and physical fights with his nemesis Dominic are realistic. I enjoyed the film.

Completely copied from multiple great movies, it seems like William tried to put together goodfellas and Rocky. The acting is absolutely horrible, other than Alec Baldwin. William DeMeo should not be blamed, the person or people who told him he could act should be blamed. Christian DeMeo was either forced against his will to be in this movie by his father or was brainwashed when he was young that his father was a good actor.

I knew this movie wasn't going to be a classic before I watched it, so my expectations were low going in. The opening scenes were actually quite promising. I'm a sucker for nostalgia and for the whole plucky underdog made good thing. However, this movie didn't work for me. The plot is thick with the worst kind of tropes. I mean, really thick. I'd love to say it was so bad, it was good... But it really wasn't. I'd skip this one if I were you. Its not rocky and it's not good- fellas. It has a MOTW feel. I believe the main actor also wrote it. I wonder if he funded it too? I can't understand how it would have got made otherwise. There are some good actors in there, but they're under utilised and don't make any impact. There's even a surprise cameo towards the end. I won't spoil it, but it's laughable. By that point, after cliché on top of cliché, the scene just felt self indulgent.

William DeMeo really must be a nice and communicative guy. He produced, wrote and starred in this film (he's the main character: the Anthony Rodriguez guy, the boxer…) and I think he saved it too.

I'm saying it because sometimes it's only because of him if some really badly written and really badly acted scenes did not kill the entire story.

This is the (long: about two hours) story of a Brooklyn middleweight trying to fight his way through all the difficulties that life and a violent neighborhood put on his path. It's a classic, so don't expect anything original: the plot is catching nonetheless and some very good actors (Alec Baldwin, Danny Glover, William Madsen…) help the film shine and look more real.