The secondary plot of The Great White Hype involves the rise of Mitchell Kane (Jeff Goldblum) from tabloid reporter and self-styled "freelance crusader" to a major force in the boxing promotion business. After making one $10 million offer to the ex-Golden Glove Champ, Sultan has his "great white hope" - Irish Terry Conklin (who's not Irish), defender of the homeless (he gives large donations to that cause) and challenger for the heavyweight championship. With his entourage in tow, the promoter pays a visit to Cleveland, where Conklin is acting as lead singer for a bad heavy metal band. And, Sultan adds, if he doesn't exist, "I'll create him." When one of Sultan's assistants uncovers the name of Terry Conklin (Peter Berg), the only man ever to knock out Roper (albeit in an amateur bout more than 10 years ago), Sultan has his man. They need a white hero - someone with a "clean-cut", "all-American" image. People have lost interest in the heavyweight championship, he claims, because they're tired of watching black men beat up each other. The money isn't rolling in the way it used to, and Sultan knows the reason. The pay-per-view revenue for Roper's last fight is down - way down. He can't get a match with Roper because Sultan won't commit to a date. That's the question Roper's would-be-rival-in-the-ring, Marvin Shabazz (Michael Jace) would like answered. Or is he? Is Roper undefeated because he's so good, or because his flamboyant, publicity-loving manager, Reverend Fred Sultan (Samuel L. With his 38-0 record, he's a force to be reckoned with. James "the Grim Reaper" Roper (Damon Wayans) is the most devastating heavyweight champion since Mike Tyson. Perhaps the most disturbing thing about the movie is the recognition of how true-to-life the most outlandish and absurd aspects are. The Great White Hype works primarily because its excesses aren't far removed from reality. Shelton is familiar with the behind-the-scenes machinations, and this knowlege is crucial to the film's success. While The Great White Hype has its share of comical, occasionally-hilarious moments, don't expect a non-stop laughfest on par with This Is Spinal Tap.Ĭo-writer Ron Shelton is no stranger to sports movies - he scripted five before this (three of which he directed): The Best of Times, Bull Durham, White Men Can't Jump, Cobb, and Blue Chips. There are times when this movie is so vicious that it ceases to be funny. The Great White Hype takes the boxing industry and rips it open, displaying the rotting, putrid innards for all to see. Not since Robert Altman's The Player has a film been this relentless in its satirical attack.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |