On the Ropes
Directed by Nanette Burstein
Viewed at the San Francisco
International Film Festival


A story about boxing partly but about human spirit and relationships mostly. Three youths: Tyree, Noel and George must literally fight their way from the bottom of the food chain in Brooklyn's Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood... The story revolves around the trainer (Harry Keitt) who basically runs the boxing center. Harry had been a fighter and then got involved with drugs and guns. After a stint in prison and on the streets, he's begun to put his life back together and to pass on the valuable lessons he has learned. Harry has patience and a big heart and pushes his students with a firm but loving hand. The power in this straightforward documentary is in this man's search for redemption from his stand, however it presents itself. It also about how money will affect one's judgement and our allegiance to others, as when George decides to get a professional agent instead of sticking with Harry, who taught him at the start. Beyond this we see how these poor are fighting an uphill battle for air in a materialistic society that has all but forgotten them and doesn't care, except in their capacity to entertain us!

Reviewed by Eric Michel, FilmCities

On the Ropes
Country: USA
Year: 1999
Running Time: 90 Min.
Cast

Producer: Burstein, Morgen
Editor: Nancy Baker, Burstein
Cinematographer: Morgen
Screenwriter: Burstein, Morgen