Grudge Match

Fundamentally, this film presented me with a riddle. Not a particularly elusive, technical quandary of a riddle but something quite puzzling nonetheless. On its own the premise and the film itself is quite simple - two aging boxers, who failed to outdo each other in their prime, come together for one final bout decades on. Fine. But...this film is billed and was advertised as a "sports comedy".

A.- I never even knew there was such a category as "sports comedy", and B. - ...comedy?

I know I may not be that receptive to American comedy films and American comedy in general, but I can normally tell when they are at least trying to be funny (whether it moves me to laugh or not). But with this film I found myself quite perplexed as at almost every point, Grudge Match was devoid of anything remotely resembling a comedic moment in my eyes. 

What's more, I am at a loss to explain why. As I say the plot was relatively simple, if quite predictable and a tad mundane. Nowhere could there be any room for hidden "subtleties" of comedy, nevermind out and proud comedic moments. We just don't get that, or rather I just didn't get any of that when watching it. At a push I could guess that the reason they dubbed this film a "sports comedy" from the outset is that they had an inkling people wouldn't really take the idea of Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro doing an actual boxing movie at their age seriously. This might seem a tad unfair, as they have enough pedigree between them thanks to the likes of Rocky and Raging Bull, and it has to be said - the condition they are in is remarkable for anyone, let alone men in their 60s and 70s. I think, if anything that is where the slight comedic hit comes from - the initial concept; for the way in which the film was actually executed left me feeling comedically cold.

So what can we actually say about Grudge Match then? Well, if you take into account the two stars, their past reputations, plus the aforementioned pedigree and background they have - you could say it was quite tragic and mediocre at best (as many critics did and more at the time of the film's release). Supposedly humerous or not, in the end there is nothing special or different about this one; no surprises, no twists and nothing that moving. 

Stallone predictably was still fine with the boxing element, but in terms of acting ability had just enough to add the slightest tinge of depth to his character, but when he attempted to add anything more (which he often did) the results were just confusingly cringe-worthy.

Robert De Niro on the other hand, whom we know as an actor can be capable of legendary greatness, was also surprisingly suited to the role of an aging boxer, did his best to play light-hearted, but where you would expect him to be the one actor in this film to add that much needed quality; most of the time he sadly fell short. The two combined were believable enough, but only just. At times they did seem as strained and tired as the dialogue and the plot.

Other faces you might recognize? Well comedian Kevin Hart was raucous, loud and just plain annoying in my eyes, whilst iconic Kim Basinger mostly appeared tired and distinctly lacking in any serious acting ability for most of her time on screen. Relative newcomer Jon Bernthal was actually a welcome source of grounded edge, and sufficient counter-measure to Robert De Niro whilst convincingly playing his son. Another long-time legend Alan Arkin was again a welcome face and his character was solid enough (even though the cynic in me would say he broadly played a very similar character to that of which he has for the past few years now in each film he has done).

What I would say in summary, is that if all you want is a just good-enough boxing movie, with just enough tongue-in-cheek moments, and enough recognizable faces then go ahead and watch Grudge Match. It is not woeful by any means, but it isn't too far off if you're looking for anything more.