Cast
Arturo Ortega (Jimmy Smits)
Sonny Ortega (Jon Seda)
Jimmy Ortega (Clifton Collins, Jr.)
Nick Everson (Ron Perlman)
Johnny Ortega (Ernesto Hernandez)
Rita Ortega (Mara Del Mar)
Directed by Carlos Avila Written by Phil Berger
Rated PG-13 for violence, language and brief drug use
Running Time: 118 minutes Distributed by New Line Cinema
Price
of Glory is a good father-son movie with boxing as a nice
backdrop. Arturo Ortega (Smits) was an inspiring world champion
boxer whose rising career was unexpectedly cut short in one
title match. Years later, Arturo is determined to raise his
three sons, Sonny (Seda), Jimmy (Collins, Jr.) and Johnny
(Hernandez) to become championship boxers. As the three boys
begin to turn into men, Arturo becomes more obsessed with
all of his son's lives and talent. Many conflicts arise in
the Ortega family and Arturo and his sons are each left with
many decisions to make to determine their journey not only
in boxing, but also in life.
Price
of Glory is a movie that does have potential. The film has
feeling and strength with only a few mere flaws. The script
by Phil Berger focuses totally on the Ortega family, not on
the Ortega boxing. Berger's script does get crowded with subplots
and situations, but the script's character relationships are
pretty well balanced. However, the backdrop boxing sequences
were not well balanced. During the film, Johnny and Jimmy
have at least two boxing matches apiece, but the oldest son,
Sonny, only fights once. Though, I saw this as an unbalanced
aspect in the script, there was a fair amount of boxing in
the film. Also, I believe if there would have been a few more
boxing scenes in the film that the relationships might faded
a little bit.
Carlos
Avila's direction seems to be intact. Avila's boxing sequences
were fast and quick like in all boxing movies, but his dramatic
and emotional scenes connected the best with all the other
aspects in the production.
Jimmy
Smits is pure and efficent in his role as Arturo Ortega. He
delivers many creative moments of heartbreak, love, anger
and happiness that all shape his super performance. I was
also impressed with Jon Seda's performance as Sonny. I am
glad to see Seda acting again, who I first saw perform brilliantly
in Selena. Seda has a simple and quiet style with his characters,
which will probably land him some more roles. As far as for
the other actors, Clifton Collins Jr. shows some range as
Jimmy, and film debut actor Ernesto Hernandez will only get
better in time. The only nuisance in the film is the performance
by Costas Mandaylor as world champion boxer Davey Lang. Mandaylor
delivers a very weak and annoying performance as the cocky
boxer. Price of Glory is a film that I recommend to everybody.
I was touched by the film's father-son story and was very
entertained by the acting of Jimmy Smits and Jon Seda.
Report
Card Grade: B
Beastman's
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