Tyson
Tyson goes under the microscope in James Toback's documentary
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Monday, 23, Mar 2009 12:18
Directed by James Toback, currently showing at the London Film Festival, starring Mike Tyson, 88 mins.
In a nutshell...
Iron Mike finds his sensitive side
What's it all about?
Tyson takes a quiet, intimate look at one of the most destructive men ever to grace the world of sport. Mike Tyson, the "Baddest Man On The Planet", experienced unrivalled success as a young boxer but his dramatic rise to fame brought with it temptations that the insecure fighter just could not refuse.
The film sees Tyson speak honestly and at times passionately about the highs and lows which have now become part of sport folklore.
Who's in it?
On November 22nd 1986 Mike Tyson defeated Trevor Berbick to win the WBA Heavyweight title. In doing so, he became the youngest ever heavyweight champion at just 20 years old. Throughout the 1980s he continued to destroy all his opponents with his awesome power and insane hand speed and on August 13th 1987, he defeated Tony Tucker to win the IBF title and become the "undisputed heavyweight champion of the world".
The death of his mentor Cus D'Amato and the distraction of being one of the most famous faces in the world, however, proved too much for Tyson and he continually proved his ability to self-destruct and throughout the following decade controversy followed Iron Mike everywhere he turned.
In 1992, Tyson was convicted of raping Desiree Washington and served three years in prison. On his release, he returned to the ring winning a number of low-key fights but then lost to Evander Holyfield in 1996. The pair fought again in 1997, but their rematch ended in disqualification for Tyson after he bit off a piece of Holyfield's ear.
Since then, Tyson has lost a number of fights after freely admitting his heart was no longer in boxing.
As an example...
At one point Tyson describes to camera the stage in his life when he understood how to defend himself. "(spoken through tears) I realised no-one was ever going to f*ck with me again. because... oh I can't say it... because I would f****n' kill'em."
Likelihood of a trip to the Oscars?
The film did pick up the Regard Knockout Award at this year's Cannes film festival, but it's hard to see this documentary winning anything serious during the award season.
What the others say
"Although straightforward in format, the film capitalises on an obviously intense connection between filmmaker and subject with psychological and emotional power.
"Sports fans will get their fill, but the pic's sensitivity to its exceedingly complicated subject opens up broader commercial horizons in theatrical, TV and homevid worldwide." - Variety.
So is it any good?
There are many things which Tyson does well, the most obvious being its ability getting beyond the hype and rumour and find out who the 'real' Mike Tyson is.
The ending of the film explains so much about Tyson and the troubled personality which has continually plagued the most naturally gifted fighter of his generation. After over an hour of dialogue the film simply ends with Tyson's struggled and laboured breathing. The sound fittingly reminds you of a caged beast or a tired animal struggling for air after an intense battle. But the sound is also the true source and underpinning essence of the enigma that is Mike Tyson.
During the film Tyson willingly admits that throughout his life he has struggled with breathing, hence his desire to always end his fights as soon as possible. And with the admission that he was a "fat kid", it is clear to see he why he became a prime target for the bullies as he grew up; something he has fought his whole life to overcome.
It is hard to have sympathy for a character such as Tyson, but Toback has done a pretty good job of unveiling the boxer's more sensitive side. The film is tragically undershot, emphasising how this once roaring beast was wounded, brutally tamed and then spat out by a society who once lapped up everything he did and touched.
Tyson continually makes reference to his inability to control his emotions and those nagging voices which have repeatedly landed him in trouble. To portray this sense of conflicting personalities, Toback uses overlapping shots and dialogue which initially irritates but actually works in helping explain Tyson's inner monologue.
There isn't nearly as much archive footage of Iron Mike's fights or interviews that you would perhaps expect in the film. Instead we're giving a lot more talking-head shots of Tyson narrating us through his extraordinary life.
Some may have little time for listening to a convicted rapist and a man who seemingly managed to squander $300 million. However, it is evident that Tyson was and perhaps still is a seriously depressed individual. Throughout his career he unintentionally, and on occasion intentionally, surrounded himself with the wrong people and let himself be dragged in directions perhaps he did not want to head.
Toback has successfully managed to humanise one of the most 'animalistic' characters ever to grace the world's stage in a compelling and powerful piece of work.
7/10
Richard James