Review of On the Ropes (1999) by Jesse B — 02 Oct 2008
I drank three or four beers while watching this and didn't even have a buzz by the end, it was that sobering. No one dies or anything. It's not like that. It's just that director Nanette Burstein, as she would eventually do with The Kid Stays in the Picture and most recently American Teen, paints such a stark picture of her subject matter.
In this case, that means the three down-on-their-luck boxers who are busting their butts at the New-Bed-Stuy Boxing gym in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. As fascinating as those three were, the trainer Harry Keitt has perhaps the most gut-wrenching backstory and the most inspiring present-day story.
Man, the stuff that guy's been through. If you think you have it rough and need a little perspective, check this out. Or watch it if you just want to see what great documentary filmmaking is about.
Nanette Burstein is among the best in the biz.
This review of On the Ropes (1999) was written by Jesse B on 02 Oct 2008.
On the Ropes has generally received very positive reviews.
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