It's gritty, disturbing and depressing, but FAT CITY is quite involving and rarely boring.
This obscure character drama follows the parallel lives of worn-out Tully (Stacy Keach), a once-promising-boxer-turned-alcoholic, and his young and eager protégé, Ernie (Jeff Bridges). Bridges' success mirrors what could have been for Tully, who struggles with low-paid labor and a loud, rarely-sober girlfriend, Oma (Susan Tyrrel). Though Bridges encounters challenges of his own, he purposely grows emotionally detached from the older boxer. The final scene, where Bridges reluctantly humors the pathetic drunk by talking over coffee, is poignant and drives home the purpose of the film.
Far from a feel-good ROCKYesque effort, FAT CITY chooses instead to tell the story of a boxer who doesn't make it and the vast untapped potential that will be forever drowned in glass after glass of liquor.
This obscure character drama follows the parallel lives of worn-out Tully (Stacy Keach), a once-promising-boxer-turned-alcoholic, and his young and eager protégé, Ernie (Jeff Bridges). Bridges' success mirrors what could have been for Tully, who struggles with low-paid labor and a loud, rarely-sober girlfriend, Oma (Susan Tyrrel). Though Bridges encounters challenges of his own, he purposely grows emotionally detached from the older boxer. The final scene, where Bridges reluctantly humors the pathetic drunk by talking over coffee, is poignant and drives home the purpose of the film.
Far from a feel-good ROCKYesque effort, FAT CITY chooses instead to tell the story of a boxer who doesn't make it and the vast untapped potential that will be forever drowned in glass after glass of liquor.