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I found this new documentary fascinating. Like most everyone living these last few decades, I knew Iron Mike, saw a few of his fights, knew a little of his troubles, but didn't really have any details of where he came from or what he is as a person.
For better or worse, one finds out what he is as a person in this first person narration with all but a few words spoken by Tyson himself. This portrait is edited to be sympathetic, but I think most people will leave with mixed feelings. Yes, he was a scared, isolated kid, but he was also a criminal. There are a couple short examples of an insane dangerous level of anger- one being the second Holyfield fight where Tyson, after being disqualified for biting, is enraged and trying to rush Holyfield and do something bad, maybe kill him.
This man has been through it all- tremendous wealth and fame to solitary confinement in prison. He describes it with that strange vocabulary which is often surprising. This is his story in his words, so all he really says about the rape allegation is he didn't do it. There is no sort of fact-checking, that is not the point. The point is to get inside the head of this strange man, this poor kid from Brooklyn who met the leaders of Russia and Italy.
Follow Ups:
I'm hesitant to see this one because of Mike's involvement and the empathy the filmmaker has for Tyson.
Although I enjoy balanced documentaries that challenge the viewer (Capturing the Friedmans), if one could leave this film with ambivalence about Mike's life choices would mean the film was manipulative and biased.
Tyson was a great dominating fighter for a few years - and a real creep.
My friend with whom I saw this thought he was a thug and a creep and she expressed some empathy for him after seeing it.
A documentary in most cases has a point of view. And the point of view here is sympathetic. Although it is made perfectly clear that this man has done bad things to people. He talks about how, in a street fight, you need to almost kill someone because if they get up, they could come back with a gun. He's obviously been there, done that.
On the other hand, his story has elements of tragedy. He was a kid with nothing, no real family, just raw talent and many people used his talent and took as much as they could for as long as they could. He comes off as sad, alone, isolated. I felt empathy for him as well.
What about the hundreds of other boxers who've had similar or worse childhood experiences who eventually became role models?I've seen interviews with the filmmaker who feels Tyson is misunderstood. That's fair enough, but some people think that about Hitler. Although everyone deserves a break - As I said, I'm leery of Tyson history being rewritten in the context of a "balanced" documentary.
Although Tyson's early years as a boxer are a thrill to watch, his out of control antics are as appalling as anything I've ever seen.
In all fairness Tunenut, I haven't seen this thing, you have.
You seem to convey that my suspicions are unfounded, and this documentary is fair and unbiased?
PS - I am a boxing fan and I've seen every Tyson fight. I've also Netflixed almost all available DVD's on Tyson.
Edits: 05/04/09
It is clearly a sympathetic portrait. It's an interesting view into a different kind of man. I understand the reference to Hitler- of course, I would not care much to hear his side of the story. So if you really despise the guy, you might as well skip it.
was beating up adult men in the ghetto to enforce betting laws. He was a collector of debt.
Who knows how much more damage he would have done if not for Gus D'Amato?
I was just re-watching that scene from the well-worth-watching James Caan 1974 flick..... Here's a youtube link to the scene BUT beware, it's an ABSOLUTE spoiler if you haven't seen this Karl Reisz effort....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_poDO_F13Os
of versatility. Who'dathunk the director of "Morgan" would do THAT?
GW
directed by Reisz.
Anyhow, Reisz is a damn good director and he also made, "Who'll Stop the Rain," with Nick Nolte and Tuesday Weld.
Mann, of course, is one of the best action directors. I hope he doesn't come after me for the slight.....
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