Sparring

Although he is not good and talented boxer he is real fighter who is ready to deal with difficulties of life like real man. That is not just described in ring but in his relationship with his family, his honesty, and his virtue gets the best from all people around him. Also, boxing scenes are great and real also as music.

This movie portraits Steve's (Mathieu Kassovitz) professional drama. Steve is an aging father, husband and boxer with much more losses than wins. He's hired to be a training fighter of a famous and talented boxer. Over the course of this professional challenge, Steve shows his value as an experiencied, although loser, boxer fighter.

Although this is something unexpected to say about a boxing movie, this is a very delicate one, hard to be labeled in a genre, but something between a drama and a dramatic comedy. An ageing boxer, with embarassingly little money and a family he loves (and that loves him), needs to keep fighting. However, he is what is called a "journeyman", with a far from promising record (much more losses than victories). As a sparring of a champ things will become better, or it is just a desperate move?

This film is for me a a sort of French FAT CITY. Remember the John Huston's movie from 1972, about losers in the fighting game and starring Stacy Keach. And a particular short scene in the beginning of both features can make you think about the link between the two movies; the sequence where the main lead urinate blood in the toilet. Yes that's a movie dedicated to those hundreds of shadow prize fighters who have sometimes dozens of defeats and nearly none victory in their honour list. A movie, this French one, so poignant, moving, cruel, painful. But certainly not totally hopeless. The tale of a tenth grade fighter who struggles to survive with his family and who accepts to serve as a sparring Partner. Terrific.

Great movie, inspiring, it's not about winning, it's about fighting against all odds until the bell rings. Great acting from The boxers and The daughter is also great. It's a Netflix treasure. Suitable for boxing fans and also for anyone who likes a good story. It reminds us about The importance of family and The sacrifices it requires. It's also a great reminder that Age is just a number. Good references to other great boxing movies like Rocky and Gladiator.