Michael Pitt will get a terrific showcase in actor Jack Huston’s directorial debut.
PLOT: A washed-up boxer (Michael Pitt) prepares for the most important match of his profession – his first in ten years – whereas attempting to patch up the varied frayed relationships in his life.
REVIEW: Day of the Combat marks actor Michael Pitt’s (billed right here as Michael C. Pitt) first main position in a few years. A former heartthrob finest identified for The Dreamers, the American remake of Humorous Video games, and his position on Boardwalk Empire, he just lately turned up within the underrated Benicio del Toro movie Reptile however in any other case has been out of the highlight for years. In the event you google his title, you may see that he needed to cope with some private points we’re not going to dredge up right here, however suffice it to say that Day of the Combat gives him a powerful star car that would assist him make a comeback if the appropriate folks see it.
The film is written and directed by Pitt’s former Boardwalk Empire co-star, Jack Huston, who makes his filmmaking debut. Sharing a title with the well-known Stanley Kubrick brief movie, that is an elegiac, bittersweet story of a good-natured pugilist attempting to set proper a number of of the errors he’s made in his life earlier than leaping into the ring for one last-ditch shot at glory.
Pitt’s Mike Flannigan is a good-natured fighter who’s simply gotten out of jail after a drunk driving accident that resulted within the demise of a younger boy. The previous middleweight champion of the world, he now lives in a dodgy condominium with solely a pet cat to maintain him firm whereas he pines for his ex-wife (Nicolette Robinson’s Jessica) and daughter. He’s been giving a last-ditch shot on an undercard match at Madison Sq. Backyard because of some strings being pulled by his devoted coach (a wonderfully forged Ron Perlman). Unbeknownst to all, Flannigan is affected by a mind aneurism in a tough space that would rupture if he takes a tough blow to the top.
Whereas the premise sounds predictable, with the movie having heavy shades of The Wrestler, Huston’s execution is sort of good for a directorial debut (it’s harking back to a film directed by his grandfather – Fats Metropolis). Using excessive distinction black and white cinematography by Peter Simonite, and a terrific forged of character actors, he’s mounted one heck of a starring car for Pitt. Usually dismissed as a fairly boy again within the day, Pitt seems to be extra world-weary and barely older than his forty-two years, making him a super option to play the previous boxer. Adopting a mild, candy nature, Flannigan is simple man to love, reminiscent of when he intervenes at his boxing fitness center when a bullying boxer humiliates a overwhelmed opponent, or when he provides his coat to a younger woman he meets on the street.
A lot of Pitt’s former Boardwalk Empire co-stars present up, together with Steve Buscemi in a small position as Mike’s uncle, and Anatol Yusef as a bookie. Better of all is Joe Pesci in a powerful position as Mike’s father, a former wannabe singing star who beat his son however is now struggling the ravages of a stroke. In an fascinating twist, Huston really makes use of actual music Pesci recorded within the seventies for his character.
Whereas the mournful tone of the movie and the black-and-white taking pictures may restrict Day of the Combat’s viewers to the arthouse, it’s a totally partaking film that deserves extra of a build-up. The truth that it by no means performed Sundance or TIFF is a head-scratcher, because it’s higher than plenty of films I’ve seen at each festivals lately – however I digress. At any charge, Day of the Combat is nicely price trying out and a welcome return to type for Pitt.
