Review of Somebody Up There Likes Me (1996) by Lucas G — 28 Jan 2011

Never ask for a soda unless you're prepared to pay the check.

Rocky grew up the son of a boxer. His father never got to live out his dream due to legal concerns and marital commitment. Rocky wasn't smart enough to see he was following the same path until a trainer grabs his arm and tells him he could get paid for the reasons he often finds himself in jail. Rocky quickly becomes a famous boxer on the verge of becoming a champion but his legal past and potential marriage threats to ruin his chances of becoming a champion.

"I look at you and I see the devil.".

Robert Wise, director of West Side Story, Audrey Rose, Helen of Troy, The Body Snatcher, Blood on the Moon, and The House on Telegraph Hill, delivers Somebody Up There Likes Me. The storyline for this picture reminded me of a mix of Cool Hand Luck and Raging Bull in the way that it presents both prison sequences and the rise of a boxer through the slums. The acting is magnificent and the cast includes Paul Newman, Arch Johnson, Harold Stone, Robert Duvall, Sal Mineo, and Steve McQueen.

"I didn't marry a man, did I? I married a middleweight.".

This is a movie that grabbed my attention when I discovered that it starred Steve McQueen and Paul Newman; unfortunately, McQueen only had a bit role. Fortunately, Paul Newman is awesome and delivers a captivating performance as good as De Niro's performance in Raging Bull (which is my all time favorite Scorsese picture). While Newman's performance is awesome, the picture is a bit predictable and seemed a lot like Rocky (Stallone) in some scenes. Overall, this is a must see film for those who love triumphant boxing pictures.

"There goes another little grease ball on his way.".

Grade: B+.