By James Slater – The last time movie legend Robert de Niro made a boxing flick, the success level – at the box office and with the critical reception the movie received – was only minimal. The film in question was 1992’s Night and The City, itself a remake of a 1950’s classic starring Richard Widmark. The remake, though a quirky, watchable affair, is sadly no classic.
But before Night and The City, there was a movie that is recognised the world over as not only De Niro’s finest hour, but as THE best boxing movie ever made: 1980’s Oscar-scooping Raging Bull. Twice De Nero’s considerable acting talents have been used in films depicting life and action in the ring, and that number will soon grow to three..
It has been reported how De Niro will play the part of legendary trainer Ray Arcel, in the soon-to-begin-filming “Hands of Stone” Roberto Duran biopic. The movie will shoot in Puerto Rico, starting on June 4th, and movie fans and fight fans alike are hoping De Niro will turn in another classic to stand right alongside the movie that saw him portray the frightening, the fearless, the unforgettable Jake La Motta. Such expectations are high, naturally, but the Duran movie – that will star Gael Garcia Bernal as Duran and Usher as Duran’s nemesis, Sugar Ray Leonard – might have the stuff needed to be great – certainly the raw material that is available courtesy of “Manos de Piedra’s” amazing life and ring exploits is of the solid gold variety.
Written and directed by Jonathon Jakubowicz, the movie will likely have a large section devoted to the infamous “No Mas” fight Duran had with Sugar Ray the year Raging Bull was captivating audiences. Hopefully, however, this often exaggerated (did Roberto even say the oft-quoted words he is alleged to have uttered?) chapter in the life of the greatest lightweight in history will not overshadow the rest of the film. For there is a ton of stuff that Duran got up to that should definitely make the cut: the young urchin-like Duran’s habit of swimming across a section of water to get to millionaire (and future financial backer) Carlos Eleta’s orchard and steal coconuts. Duran’s infamous knocking out of a horse. The time Duran, in his first crack at the world title, kneed Ken Buchanan, risking a DQ loss…….and on and on and on.
There is way, way more to Duran than the No Mas affair. Hopefully, Di Nero, Usher, Bernal and co will deliver the FULL story of this exceptional human being’s life (exceptional in so many ways).
There have been a lot of boxing movies made over the years, but only a few stand out as real gems (for my money, Rocky, Raging Bull, The Harder They Fall, The Fighter and The Joe Louis Story rank as the best). Are we on the verge of another slice of ring movie magic?