‘Bleed For This’ review [TIFF ’16]

Bleed For This review: Miles Teller gives a truly convincing performance in this real-life boxing drama which should land a punch in the actor’s categories come awards-season.

Bleed For This review by Paul Heath, TIFF ’16.

Miles Teller straps on the gloves for this retro boxing biopic, the second to play at TIFF ’16 following the Live Schreiber starrer The Bleeder, which bowed earlier in the festival.

Teller leads in the role of Vinny “The Pazmanian Devil” Pazienza, a blue-collar fighter from Providence, Rhode Island who is propelled onto the world stage after winning two huge title fights. With his career looking extremely positive following his pairing with renowned trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart) – a coach who previously trained Mike Tyson – however things take a turn for the worse when Pazienza is involved in a near-fatal car crash that leaves him with a broken neck. With the help of Rooney, the pro-boxer forces himself back into training after an excruciating treatment – which may just turn out to be the fight of his life.

Boiler Room helmer Ben Younger writes and steps behind the camera to bring this interesting and well-known boxing drama to screens, complete with the help of Martin Scorsese – whose executive producer credit is front and centre on the promotional material. Younger puts his unique stamp on this true story though, lacing it with comedy bats and larger than life characters both in they manor and appearances. As well as the ripped Teller you have an almost unrecognizable Ciaran Hinds as Paziena’s father and former trainer, Eckhart as the rotund and severely balding Rooney and character actor Ted Levine as the boxing promoter who seemingly only has his own business interests in mind rather than those of his fighters. There’s also an interesting crossover with another boxing movie set to land in cinemas very soon – the infamous Pazienza V Roberto Duran – featured in Jonathan Jakubowicz’s Hands Of Stone, a film yet to be give na UK street date.

Comparisons will be made to many boxing movies, but Pazienza’s story is more unique as we meet the fighter very much at the top of his game who then has a major setback physically and must do all he can – against all odds to make a return to the ring. Teller is solid in the lead – and the viewer feels every blow that the character feels over the film’s 2 hour running time – notably the intense ‘surgical’ scenes where the Halo treatment is performed to big his neck back together – a truly excruciating watch and a testament to Teller’s acting prowess.

Younger refrains from using the common traits of the boxing drama and says away from overblown camera technique and flashy editing (something that The Bleeder built itself on) – and that’s all for the film’s benefit.

The story of Pazienza is, even if you dont know it, very predictable, but that’s not to say the Younger’s film isn’t enjoyable and altogether engrossing throughout. Its main assets are its humous-ridden screenplay, its wonderful characters and the performances from the actors playing them – Eckhart also really shines, particularly in his scenes with Teller.

Bleed For This is a far-fetched, unbelievable, but wholly true boxing drama that somehow manages to land every punch. A compelling drama that satisfies with its non-flashy filmmaking style and outstanding performances.

Bleed For This review by Paul Heath at the Toronto International Film Festival 2016.

Bleed For This will be released in the UK on 2nd December 2016.