January 6, 2009
Requiem for a Heavyweight (1962)
SHORT REVIEW: Worthy of posthumous Oscars for everyone involved.
Penned by Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone,) Requiem for a Heavyweight was originally presented on Playhouse 90 in 1957 and then re-staged to make this production. It tells the story of Mountain Rivera, a haggard aging boxer whose career is over and health is on the decline. Mountain is booted out of professional boxing due to the discovery that his failed health leaves him so fragile that one punch may kill him. Urged on by his manipulating manager Maish, Mountain faces the world with his broken and beaten body and slow mind. After years of service Mountain can barely speak properly, has the face of a troll, and doesn’t have any discernable skills. In this sense, he’s a little like Al Franken.
This is a gripping character study that speaks to more than just boxing. Anthony Quinn provides a very real performance as the broken hulk. Quinn gives Mountain a rawness that captivates and pulls off what could have been a cartoonish performances. With his bulbous face and scrambled elocution, Mountain could have been an annoying guy to watch, but Quinn’s delicate handling makes him sympathetic. Jackie Gleason stars as Mountain’s conniving manager Maish who only wants to use Mountain for his financial benefit. Gleason is perfectly cast as the sleazy manager. his belligerent persona mixes well with the script. Gleason’s adept performance conveys a man desperate to squeeze the last drops from his friend but also hates himself for doing it.
Rod Serling’s script is a magnificent accomplishment and is one of the best pieces he had written. I believe Serling was one of the better American dramatists of the last century. To this day he doesn’t get the attention for his work and influence. This is not because his work wasn’t up to par with other dramatic writers. I think Serling was marred because his main venue was television. His cheesy work introducing The Twilight Zone didn’t do him any favors either.
This is a great production that is almost forgotten by the population at large. This is not only a great sports film but it is a great character study. If you’re wandering the aisles of the video store or hopping around Netflix and cannot find something worth watching, pick this one. This isn’t the happiest piece but it will do something most films can’t do, it will make you feel and think.
Related Reviews:
Classic movies
Double Indemnity (1944)
Le Salaire de la peur "Wages of Fear" (1953)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Spirituality in Practice
Classic Film Guide
Penned by Rod Serling (The Twilight Zone,) Requiem for a Heavyweight was originally presented on Playhouse 90 in 1957 and then re-staged to make this production. It tells the story of Mountain Rivera, a haggard aging boxer whose career is over and health is on the decline. Mountain is booted out of professional boxing due to the discovery that his failed health leaves him so fragile that one punch may kill him. Urged on by his manipulating manager Maish, Mountain faces the world with his broken and beaten body and slow mind. After years of service Mountain can barely speak properly, has the face of a troll, and doesn’t have any discernable skills. In this sense, he’s a little like Al Franken.
This is a gripping character study that speaks to more than just boxing. Anthony Quinn provides a very real performance as the broken hulk. Quinn gives Mountain a rawness that captivates and pulls off what could have been a cartoonish performances. With his bulbous face and scrambled elocution, Mountain could have been an annoying guy to watch, but Quinn’s delicate handling makes him sympathetic. Jackie Gleason stars as Mountain’s conniving manager Maish who only wants to use Mountain for his financial benefit. Gleason is perfectly cast as the sleazy manager. his belligerent persona mixes well with the script. Gleason’s adept performance conveys a man desperate to squeeze the last drops from his friend but also hates himself for doing it.
Rod Serling’s script is a magnificent accomplishment and is one of the best pieces he had written. I believe Serling was one of the better American dramatists of the last century. To this day he doesn’t get the attention for his work and influence. This is not because his work wasn’t up to par with other dramatic writers. I think Serling was marred because his main venue was television. His cheesy work introducing The Twilight Zone didn’t do him any favors either.
This is a great production that is almost forgotten by the population at large. This is not only a great sports film but it is a great character study. If you’re wandering the aisles of the video store or hopping around Netflix and cannot find something worth watching, pick this one. This isn’t the happiest piece but it will do something most films can’t do, it will make you feel and think.
Related Reviews:
Classic movies
Double Indemnity (1944)
Le Salaire de la peur "Wages of Fear" (1953)
Other Critic's Reviews:
Spirituality in Practice
Classic Film Guide
Labels: Anthony Quinn, film, Jackie Gleason, movie review, Rod Serling
posted by Michelle Obama's Left Nut at 9:00 AM
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