MovieChat Forums > Fighting Tommy Riley Discussion > Was hoping to love this but was a bit di...

Was hoping to love this but was a bit disappointed (spoilers)

posted 8 years ago by ffishpaw
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First of all I would like to say that I don't hate this film but found it to just be lacking. It was predictable and I don't think Marty should've been "outed" in such a creepy way. It taints his character for me. I just feel that there could've been a kinder, less drooly way of exposing that wrinkle. I also completely hate that they end the film with a fade out just before the title fight. This is a movie very heavily focused on boxing and in boxing it really is about the winner or loser. There are real fights sometimes where the outcome isn't that important in terms of furthering or derailing a particular fighter's carreer but this is a movie. Come on.

Also, just a side question...was the name Tommy Riley some sort of homage to Gladiator with James Marshall, Cuba Gooding and Brian Dennehey....and Robert Loggia?

[–] germite 8 years ago

I think you Marty's character was meant to be tainted. When he brought Tommy up to the cabin, he was either partly or wholly motivated by the fantasy of them becoming lovers. He was a flawed person, and while he was selfless and cared for this person who reminded him of himself, he also took advantage of his situation. He couldn't help it. To me, this wasn't creepy: it was human. It was wrong, but I still love his character.

As far as the ending goes, it doesn't matter who wins the fight with Norris. The last fight was Tommy fighting with himself over whether or not to continue. He ultimately realizes he's going to keep punching, keep punching. He's keeping Marty's spirit alive. He's reached the pinnacle of his character arc. Anything beyond that would be ancillary.

"Stwike him, Centuwion ... vewy Wuffwy!"