Review: 'Hands of Stone' lacks definitive punch
The boxing biopic Hands of Stone is punch-drunk when it comes to figuring out who’s the real star contender.
Writer-director Jonathan Jakubowicz’s rote ring drama (** out of four; rated R; in theaters nationwide Friday) mainly focuses on the rise and fall and rise again of Panamanian pugilist Roberto Duran (Edgar Ramirez), a cocky but naturally great fighter whose pride often overshadowed his talent.
In certain parts, though, Hands of Stone is instead a film about Duran’s aging trainer Ray Arcel (Robert De Niro) and his comeback from a Mafia-forced retirement to get Duran into championship shape. And when Usher Raymond (aka Grammy Award-winning musician Usher) shows up as Duran’s No. 1 rival “Sugar” Ray Leonard, he steals the movie with leading-man charisma, a winning smile and agile boxing moves.
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Even though the film can’t focus on one subject, Hands of Stone does boast notable performances from its leads, especially Ramirez. The actor plays Duran from his teens to his 30s as the boxer works his way up the welterweight division — becoming a symbol for his homeland amid the tense backdrop of the U.S. fighting for control of the Panama Canal even as he deals with the American Marine father who deserted him.
Duran’s manager, Carlos Aleta (Rubén Blades), wants Duran to work with Arcel so he can become the champ, though Duran finds more motivation in ice cream than in the old icon. “Ring sense is a gift from God,” says Arcel, and he knows Duran has it, which is why he makes a deal to train Duran for free.
Racking up wins as well as kids with wife Felicidad (Ana de Armas), Duran finally gets in the ring with titleholder Leonard. Duran’s 1980 win over Sugar Ray and the infamous “No mas” rematch (where Duran quits in the middle of the fight) is really where Hands of Stone finds its rhythm.
But Duran as presented in the movie is often an unlikable guy — he lets close friends go by the wayside and publicly insults Leonard’s wife (Jurnee Smollett-Bell), and in those instances, it’s hard to root for Duran when you’re supposed to be in his corner. On the other hand, Raymond does such a great job capturing Leonard’s smooth cool that he becomes the cheer-worthy one. (No complaints here if there's a Sugar Ray spinoff.)
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De Niro’s character has simply too many subplots to juggle. There’s an interesting story line with Arcel and a gangster (John Turturro) that goes nowhere, and halfway through the movie he has an adult daughter (Drena De Niro), who is inexplicably thrown into the busy plot.
Reg E. Cathey has a spot-on cameo as over-the-top promoter Don King, and the matches with Ramirez and Raymond lead to some exciting moments. But last year’s Creed raised the bar high for boxing films, and by comparison the unspectacular Hands of Stone isn’t even close to being the main event.