|
Review - Bobby Belt for The Mungles on Movies
There was a time, some 20 years ago, where "Iron" Mike Tyson could be argued as the greatest boxer of all time. Powerful fists, quick punches and blinding speed the way he bounced around the ring and under punches. In those days, your 50 dollar purchase of a Pay-Per-View Tyson fight may only get you 30 seconds of boxing.
After a messy relationship with Actress Robin Givens, a devastating upset loss to Buster Douglas and a rape conviction, Mike Tyson is an empty man. "Iron Mike" is hardly a fitting nickname any longer.
"Tyson" is Academy Award nominated (Bugsy, 1991) James Toback's documentary about Mike Tyson's early struggles in life, quick rise to the top, and hard fall.
The film is a 90 minute sit down with Mike Tyson. It's Tyson looking into a camera and telling you who he is and why he did the things he did. Spliced in and coupling Tyson's words are archived interviews from his early days and some really excellent footage of some of his boxing matches.
Tyson and the footage take us through his training as a teenager with Cus D'Amato. Showing how Tyson channeled his insanity and focused it directly on his opponent, even knocking out an opponent in a mere 8 seconds at the Junior Olympics. It highlights how D'Amato gained the trust of the hesitant Tyson and how his death crushed the 19 year old fighter.
This is as vulnerable as I've ever seen Mike Tyson. Breaking down in tears when talking about the influence and death of D'Amato.
From there, it shows the highest of highs for Mike until his 1990 knockout against major underdog Buster Douglas. From there, Tyson's life took a decidedly southern turn. A conviction of rape that landed him in prison for three years, the loss of passion for the one true thing he loved and his failures as a father.
Throughout the interview, you see it in Tyson's eyes and hear it in his voice...this is a broken down, shell of a man. He has nothing left. He takes full responsibility for his fall and summarizes his life about as well as anyone probably could.
"I either have to have it all or have nothing. I don't know why I do that."
True words, Mr. Tyson.
Tyson is a thoroughly depressing view at one of the greatest fighters of all time. Shining a light on how weak this perceived "strong" man really is.
Tyson is rated R. Outside of boxing violence, it contains strong and explicit language from Mike Tyson.
Overall, I would give Tyson 5 out of 5. A documentary which sets out to paint the picture of a puzzling man and it paints as clear a portrait as could be seen. |
