A strange, sometimes absorbing, other times baffling film. I'm not convinced it is as great as some have said, but I do know I want to watch it a second time, whatever that means.

A film that slowly becomes great as it moves along. The scenes in the locker room in the leadup to the fight, filled with great character actors and dialogue, are excellent. Ryan and Totter are believable as the aging fighter and his loyal girl. Great direction and photography make the film seem authentic. Without doubt, one of the great boxing films.

A second viewing made quite an impression on me. I loved this film even more and I suspect I will have the same reaction each time I see it. I saw myself in the father and the sons, and it brought to mind lying on the grass as a child on the prairies, staring up at the biggest sky imagineable and wondering what's out there and where do we fit into all of it. Great film.