THE PLOT THUS FAR
The outcome of the 1982 WBC Lightweight title bout between Ray “Boom Boom” Mancini and Duk Koo Kim is examined.
WHAT WE THOUGHT
“The Good Son” is a father/son tale. It’s also a heartfelt look at small town heart and how America lost it in the 1980s. More importantly, it’s a look at a boxer finding his actions to be emotionally detrimental and trying to find a way to reconcile it within himself. Hometown local Ed O’ Neill does his best to help narrate and paint a picture of what was going on within Mancini’s head. But, Mancini speaks best for himself. The guy was part of a legacy that would’ve crushed the spirits of others. Somehow, he found a way to rise above and remind people that he was a good son and a hero.
Ray Mancini’s fights are shown on small TVs in hotel rooms that are best left to the imagination. Mancini takes us through where he grew up and where his fights took place. But, it’s listening to the toll that the 1982 fight against Kim took on him. That’s where you feel like a piece of crap for ever having cheered on a boxing match. Kim was outgunned, tired and the promoters should’ve forced him to quit. But, that’s not Mancini’s fault. Mancini may never forgive himself for delivering the blows that killed him, but what are you going to do? The ending felt a little staged, but it got the point across. Life sucks, but you learn to make amends with yourself and move on.
I watched “The Good Son” on a streaming service, so I can’t attest to any future DVD releases. But, the DVD apparently comes with deleted scenes and bonus interviews. The A/V Quality is typical for standard definition. The transfer is flat with little punch-up. But, the Dolby track kicks up where needed. In the end, I’d recommend a rental or streaming it.
RELEASE DATE: OUT NOW!