Review of Fat City (1972) by Alex C — 20 Jun 2008

The kind of film that Charles Bukowski would have written if he wasn't too busy getting wrecked all the time (what that means I'll let you decide for yourself). Stacey Keach delivers the performance of a lifetime and John Huston allows broke-downs and bums to get along with their lives without the mandatory highs and lows that other directors fabricate in a bid for oscar glory.

Catch the final scene in the diner for a glimpse of what life really holds in store for all of us: sooner or later. I think this is the greatest boxing flick ever made. Interestingly Huston was a lightweight boxing champion, which has a 135lbs weight limit: at 6ft 2in tall, he must have been a real stringbean! Just goes to show that in a bust up, its mean that wins out every time.

.. And Nicholas Colosanto takes a big (fat - hence the title!) dump on any other actor who tried to portray a shyster coach. Late night viewing for wannabe losers but be warned - well adjusted viewers may find themselves bored to tears.