HANDS OF STONE
Directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz
Screenplay by Jonathon Jakubowicz
Starring: Edgar Ramirez; Robert Deniro; Usher; and Ruben Blades
It is an interesting film, but not as interesting as I hoped.
It was entertaining, but not as entertaining as I hoped.
It was exciting, but not as exciting as I hoped.
This is an interesting subject to make a movie about. Roberta Duran. He carried the weight of of Panama on his shoulders. A country lacking of heroes coming from the hard/poor streets. A fighter that reached the top. However sadly it just lays there.
As for the acting:
Ramirez does a wonderful job as Duran. He looked like him, fought like him, and had all his mannerisms down.
Robert De Niro seems almost bored here as Ray Arcel Duran's long time manager. He just seems like he is walking in from another film.
Usher looks the part and has the mannerisms down as Sugar Ray Leonard.
As for the fighting scenes:
They don't seem well choreographed and the punches don't seem....well realistic.
As for the script:
This is the biggest problem. It is so unfocused.
At some points it seemed like a film about Ray Arcel and his possible mob connections
Then it seems like a film about the relationship between Duran and his loyal wife.
Then it seemed like a film about Duran and his fight to leave behind the mean streets of Panama.
Then it seemed like a film about his battles with Sugar Ray Leonard.
Then it seems like a film about Duran's relationship with Arcel.
Then it seems like a film about Duran's life in the ring and his greatness and also his stubbornness.
Obviously, my point, there is a lot here and that makes the film unfocused and almost a shell of a story. It really does not dig deep on any of those story lines. There is an interesting story here about Duran that is buried and almost feels undiscovered.
It is disappointing. Throw in that it seems low budget which is okay but it looks low budget which is not okay.
2 stars out of 5 for Hands Of Stone. Maybe worth a look when it comes to home viewing.
From the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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