Synopsis
Mickey and Negra Rosario run an inner city boxing center in New York, helping youngpeople not only to do well in the sport, but also to turn their lives around. We learn about theRosario’s lives and courtship (and about Mickey’s time in a gang), and follow a group of theirproteges as they train for an upcoming amateur tournament.
An interesting piece, with a wide variety of voices and theories about boxing. (I particularlyliked what a ref had to say about the sport …etting you know what ethnic group was lowest in thepecking order at any given point in history). The voice-over that fills us in on the Rosarios’ earlylives is a bit startling, as most of the film dispenses with that technique. Strong, intimate workall the same.
Audio
The soundtrack is mono. For the most part, this doesn’t matter, as the film consists largelyof interviews, and the sound is usually clean and crisp (though there were times that I wishedMickey was subtitled). There is a notable exception where the sound (recorded in the trainingcenter) becomes a horrible, incomprehensible gurgle. The mono does hurt the music. The drivinghip-hop is clearly meant to pump us up, but the excitement is rather drained by the limitations ofthe track.
Video
The transfer is good, and the picture quality depends on the source material. The trainingfootage shot on video obviously doesn’t look as good as the carefully framed solo interviews(with the subject dimly lit against a black background). The solo bits have fine blacks and arenicely sharp.
Special Features
Nothing here except some notes on the making of the film, and bios of the directors andproducer. The menu’s main screen is scored.
Closing Thoughts
Clearly a film with a pretty specialized interest, but interestingly presented, tying skill atfighting to the ability to improve one’s life. American Dream anyone?
Special Features List
- Bios
- Making-of Notes
