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Bleed for This

From Alfawiki
Bleed for This
Company typeFilm
IndustryMotion picture
Founded2016
FounderBen Younger (director and screenwriter)
Headquarters
United States
ProductsBiographical sports drama film

Bleed for This is a 2016 American biographical sports drama directed and scripted by Ben Younger, depicting the life story of former world boxing champion Vinny Pazienza. The cast features Miles Teller in the role of Pazienza, supported by performances from Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal, Ciarán Hinds, and Ted Levine.

The movie had its debut at the 43rd Annual Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016, followed by a U.S. theatrical release on November 18, 2016, through Open Road Films.

Plot

In November 1988, Vinny Pazienza competes against Roger Mayweather for the WBC World Light Welterweight Title. After a late weigh-in and spending the night at a casino, Vinny suffers defeat. His manager, Lou Duva, questions his commitment and suggests retirement, leading Vinny to dismiss him. Subsequently, Vinny appoints coach Kevin Rooney as his new trainer while his father Angelo assumes managerial duties.

Vinny secures another championship bout against Gilbert Dele, winning by technical knockout to claim the WBA World Light Middleweight title. Shortly thereafter, Angelo informs him about an upcoming title defense against Roberto Durán. While traveling with a friend, Vinny endures a grave neck injury in a car crash. Medical professionals warn that without spinal fusion surgery—which would end his boxing career—he risks permanent paralysis.

Choosing to avoid spinal fusion, Vinny opts for a Halo device—a metal brace affixed to his skull—to maintain neck mobility and preserve his boxing aspirations. Initially doubtful, Rooney gradually supports Vinny's rigorous rehabilitation regimen. Despite obstacles and familial strains, Vinny remains resolute.

Half a year later, after having the Halo removed without anesthesia, Vinny readies himself for a comeback fight against Durán in Las Vegas in 1990. Although facing difficulties early on, Vinny ultimately prevails by a 12-round majority decision.

The narrative concludes with an interview featuring Vinny reflecting on the challenges inherent in boxing and life.

Cast

Professional boxers Peter Quillin, Jean-Pierre Augustin, and Edwin Rodríguez portray fighters Roger Mayweather, Gilbert Dele, and Roberto Durán, respectively. Additionally, Sully Erna from the band Godsmack appears as a blackjack dealer at Caesars Palace.

Production

In September 2010, Angelo Pizzo was contracted to write the screenplay, with producers Chad A. Verdi, Noah Kraft, and Glen Ciano attached and direction assigned to Michael Corrente. By 2011, Verdi connected Kraft with filmmaker Martin Scorsese, who agreed to serve as executive producer. In 2012, Verdi and Kraft brought on board Ben Younger to both write and direct.

The cast announcement came in September 2014, revealing actors including Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Amanda Clayton, Ciarán Hinds, and Katey Sagal joining the project under Ben Younger's direction from his script. Production credits include Scorsese, Emma Koskoff Tillinger, Bruce Cohen, and Pamela Thur-Weir. Tina Casciani was added to the cast in December 2014. For his role, Eckhart gained approximately 45 pounds.

To prepare for embodying Vinny Pazienza, Teller underwent five months of training guided by nutritionist Gary Kobat and trainer Darrell Foster.

Filming

Production commenced on November 10, 2014, in Warwick, Rhode Island.<ref> Filming activities continued on December 10 at the Twin River Casino located in Lincoln, Rhode Island, followed by scenes captured on December 16 and 17 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center in Providence.<ref>

Lawsuit

On July 27, 2017, Vinny Pazienza initiated legal action against filmmakers Ben Younger and Chad A. Verdi, accusing them of forgery and failing to pay $175,000 out of the agreed $300,000 for the rights to his life story. The lawsuit was dismissed on December 7, 2017.<ref>

Release

The initial promotional image featuring Miles Teller in character was unveiled in February 2015.<ref> By May 2015, distribution rights were acquired by Open Road Films. The film had its premiere at the 43rd Annual Telluride Film Festival on September 2, 2016, and was subsequently screened at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival.<ref> Originally planned for a limited release on November 4, 2016, followed by a wide release on November 23, the opening date was adjusted in October to a wide release on November 18, 2016.<ref>

Box office

Bleed for This debuted alongside Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and The Edge of Seventeen, as well as the expanded releases of Moonlight and Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk. Initial projections estimated a $5 million gross from 1,549 theaters. After earning under $900,000 on its first day, forecasts were revised downward to $2–3 million; the film ultimately opened with $2.4 million, ranking eighth at the box office. During its second weekend, it dropped to seventeenth place with earnings of $949,898, marking a 59% decrease.

Critical response

On Rotten Tomatoes, the movie holds a 70% approval rating based on 145 critiques, with an average score of 6.23/10. The consensus reads: "Bleed for This delivers a compelling fact-based boxing drama propelled by Miles Teller’s strong performance; while it leans on some familiar genre tropes, it perseveres." On Metacritic, it has a weighted average score of 62 out of 100 from 34 reviewers, indicating "generally favorable" feedback. Audience polling by CinemaScore assigned it an average grade of "A−".

Richard Roeper from the Chicago Sun-Times lauded Teller's portrayal and director Ben Younger’s craftsmanship, calling it among the finest boxing films of the decade. Peter Debruge of Variety emphasized Teller’s compelling role and noted that this project signifies a notable comeback for Younger.

In contrast, Claudia Puig of TheWrap.com characterized the film as impactful yet undermined by stereotypical writing and clichés, resulting in an otherwise standard true-story depiction. Similar critiques were echoed by other reviewers who pointed out formulaic aspects despite the film’s sincere narrative.

See also

External links

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