BLEED FOR THIS (15)

Posted by ruthmedia on December 19, 2016 in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

BLEED FOR THIS (15)

Run time: 116

Director: Ben Younger

Cast: Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Ciarán Hinds, Katey Sagal

Synopsis: ‘Bleed for This’ is the incredible true story of one of the most inspiring and unlikely comebacks in sports history.

URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=husP0TLo9PY

Director-writer Ben Younger casts the multi-talented Miles Teller (Whiplash, 2014; War Dogs, 2016; Divergent, 2014) stars as Vinny ‘The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a local Providence, Rhode Island, boxer who shot to stardom after winning two world title fights. After a near-fatal car accident leaves Vinny with a severed spine, he is told he may never walk again. Against all odds and doctors’ orders, renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) agrees to help Vinny return to the ring just a year after the accident for what could be the last fight of his life.

Miles Teller shines as Vinny and makes us wince in nerve jangling pain as he copes with a metal halo attached to his skull with four bolts; he forgoes all pain killers and sedatives and starts secret gruelling workouts and weight training, aiming to fight back to full mobility and box again.

This is a story which has much to interest a wider audience beyond purely boxing fans; the entire ensemble, especially Ciarán Hinds as Angelo, Vinny’s loving father, are believable and convincing in their delivery of acting masterclasses.

Vinny Pazienza held titles at Lightweight, Light Middleweight and Super Middleweight and was one of boxing’s most charismatic fighters.  His incredible comeback as told in Ben Younger’s film (which boasts Martin ‘Raging Bull’ Scorsese as an executive producer) amazes and inspires at every moment – a recommended watch.

Images courtesy of ICON FILMS