Marqué par la haine

The biographical story about the journey to the top (compared to its standard genre counterparts, it lacks the popular descent to the bottom) harms itself a bit with its perfectly plotted path, in which there is not a single unexpected twist. Yet on the other hand, it has so many charming moments like the first date, the visit to the movie theater, and the beautifully filmed boxing matches to which the viewer is happy to succumb. Paul Newman was perfect as always, but I was more impressed by Pier Angeli as Norma, whose character interestingly broke the established norms of "sportsman's wife = house wife." It's not the best biopic or boxing movie, but it's certainly a memorable concert of filmmaking acumen and acting greatness. (19/09/2008)

The boxer, who is definitely not a sympathetic guy from the opening credits, battles the other fighters and his own past, which can deal him far bigger blows than them combined, if given the chance. Paul Newman is exactly the way I like him best, and Robert Wise filmed Graziano's story in such a way that Mr. Stallone and Mr. Scorsese must have been inspired by it later, I guess there was no other way. "Somebody up there likes me." - "Someone down here does too." (07/02/2016)