Review of Bleed for This (2016) by Warwick B — 15 Dec 2016

Bleed For This is the incredible true story of world class boxer Vinny Pazienza who severed his spine and broke his neck in a near fatal car accident. He was told he would never fight again, but with the help of Mike Tyson's former trainer Kevin Rooney, 'The Pazmanian Devil' returned to the ring just a year later. Although Pazienza is one of the few American boxers to hold titles in three different weight categories, few outside boxing know of this remarkable comeback of a champion who risks his life for his sport.

Writer/director Ben Young tells Pazienza's story efficiently but it's way duller than last year's Southpaw, which featured a knockout performance from Jake Gyllehhall, and this year's endearing Rocky sequel Creed. But with Miles Teller's compelling performance in the lead role as the troubled boxer and chemistry with the superb Aaron Lockhart as his committed coach, it's hard not to be roused by the film's triumphant finale. Elsewhere potentially interesting support from the likes of Pazienza's conflicted father (Ciarán Hinds) and devoted Catholic mother (Katey Sagal) are thinly drawn.

Overall, whilst it doesn't ascend the heights of bigger, better boxing movies like Raging Bull and the aforementioned movies, Bleed For This is difficult to dislike despite not quite landing that killer punch. Nonetheless, it's a terrific story of triumph over adversity and a motivating example of the force of sheer will. It's also a message that translates to any discipline: that success in any field is entirely down to the individual and their determination to succeed.