I'm actually surprised I didn't like this movie more. It seemed like the type of film that would be a home run- it's the story of a Jewish boxer in World War II, who is sent to a concentration camp. There, he must fight- and win- or be killed. It stars Willem Dafoe and Robert Loggia. I was expecting an emotional, powerful, uplifting human story about how the best of humanity can be found even in the midst of the humanity's worst. I expected to be moved by the story, and leave the movie feeling better for having watched it. None of this actually happens.
I was shocked at the hollowness of this movie- it never seemed awful or bad, just very much devoid of any heart. It felt like a movie with everything you'd expect on the surface, but underneath, something was clearly missing. It doesn't surprise me that audiences didn't really connect with this film. When it was released in 1989, it made a little over $480,000. It was limited release, but people were obviously not flocking to see it.
These kinds of movies intrigue me, because it really should have worked. The film portrays life in a concentration camp in pretty gritty detail. In fact, this was the first movie to be filmed at the actual Auschwitz death camp. That is crazy to me. The director went to painstaking lengths to ensure every single detail of the film was accurate. He accomplished that. And yet, for all that effort, the movie just falls short. Willem Dafoe, Edward James Olmos, and Robert Loggia all give good performances, and I can't really fault them. There are some very "emotional" moments (people do die here, after all) that felt a bit too manipulative. I love when movies can touch an emotional chord, but I don't like when they feel like they're pulling on the heartstrings for disingenious reasons. This movie crossed that line a few times.
I didn't hate this movie, but I didn't really like it, either. It's not a bad movie, but it is missing something. The movie promises a powerful story, but ultimately fails to deliver. I felt no feelings of truimph here. I'll give this film a decent 6.5/10.
On a related note, I really appreciate films about the Holocaust. They are obviously not easy movies to watch, but that was such a shameful, disgusting, evil, horrendous event in human history, and I don't think we should forget it. Movies bring the evil that was done to vivid, memorable light, and I think that is important for future generations to see. That being said- what are the greatest movies about the Holocaust? I think you have to go with 1. Schindler's List. 2. Life is Beautiful. What else belongs up there?
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