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Starring:
Woody Harrelson, Antonio Banderas, Lolita Davidovich, Lucy
Liu, Tom Sizemore Directed by: Ron Shelton Written by: Ron
Shelton Rated R, for brutal ring violence, strong sexuality
including dialogue, nudity, language, and drug content Running
Time: 2 hours, 5 minutes Released by Buena Vista
"Play
It to the Bone" contains many of the same elements that made
director Ron Shelton's other films fun to watch -- colorful
characters, snappy dialogue, and detailed attention to its
subject matter. The only thing missing in his latest endeavor
is the unpredictability of the story. Unfortunately, it is
this very element that everything else hinges on. It's stunning
how big a difference it makes when you know exactly where
the plot is going.
The
story centers around two boxers nearing the end of their prime.
Vince Bourdeau (Woody Harrelson) and Cesar Dominguez (Antonio
Banderas) are best friends looking for one last shot at glory.
When a truly unexpected incident arises, the two boxers are
asked at the last minute to fight each other in an undercard
bout preceeding a Mike Tyson "Fight of the Century." The only
catch... they have to be there in a matter of hours. So, they
call upon Grace (Lolita Davidovich), Cesar's lover - and Vince's
former lover - to drive them. Together, they set out for Las
Vegas to make some money and hopefully recapture their pride
which has eluded them for what seems like an eternity.
During
the course of their trip, we learn about each man's brush
with fame and glory, only to have it swept away at the last
second. The journey will ultimately lead to each man's moment
of truth -- the moment when they will be forced to reach down
deep inside themselves to an area unexplored by most men,
and unleash the kind of power not limited to physical strength,
but also their strength of being -- the kind of power that
unmistakably defines who they are.
Writer/director
Ron ("Bull Durham", "White Men Can't Jump") Shelton is a master
craftsman of colorful dialogue and spunky, unusual characters.
The arc of the story is just too obvious this time around.
What made his previous movies fun was the way the storylines
soared off into a new direction just when you were convinced
of the plot's destination. Sadly, that doesn't happen here.
It's pretty clear from the outset what will eventually take
place, how the fight will turn out, and so forth. I kept waiting
for the unusual to develop -- those fascinating events only
Shelton could imagine -- but the movie plays it straight.
It's not an awful film, just one that never gets off the ground.
As
described in the story, the term "play it to the bone" means
to give it your all, to go all the way, to leave nothing in
reserve. The two boxers may have played it to the bone, but
unfortunately, the movie doesn't break the skin.
Copyright
2001 Michael Brendan McLarney Critically
Ill
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