Tyson: A Knock-Out! review

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If I were to name one public personality whose life is meaty enough to be made into a film, it would have to be Mike Tyson. From poverty to winning the world championship, from a gradual decline to publicized scandals, he, and us too, have seen it all. I can imagine a Will Smith or Jamie Foxx undergoing intensive training to build up the requisite muscles to play the part. But instead of a feature film, director James Toback has chosen to tell Tyson's tale in a documentary format, and in Tyson's own words.

Think fierce boxing bouts on celluloid and immediately Rocky or Raging Bull come to mind. But they are the product of some excellent choreography. Play acting. Tyson has the real stuff. Archival footage of the ring scenes is equally powerful and Toback skillfully intersperses them throughout the film to hold your interest. Just like the highlights of a visit to the zoo are the fierce creatures, the best part about this documentary is this footage. Tyson on Tyson otherwise would have been a dull affair.

He is not a particular great narrator. He has a lisp to begin with that does not go with his tough guy image. His voice is not a baritone and the chipped front tooth seems out of place. But it's what he has to say that matters. Tyson takes you from his days as a Brooklyn kid to his initiation into street fights and ultimately into boxing. He voices over through his famous bouts, laying bare his strategy, his technique. And it makes for absorbing viewing.

His comments on people that have shaped his career are heart-felt. Be it his reverence for his coach Cus D'Amato or irreverence for Don King. The latter is particularly side-splitting. His take on his involvement with drugs and the rape he was accused of is also matter of fact. As is his opinion on biting off a part of Evander Holyfield's ear. Even for the casual follower of sports, these are incidents that have stayed in your memory and more likely than not, while watching this film you are actually waiting for them to crop up. The good part is that when they do, they don't crumble under your expectations.

At times, Toback gets slightly gimmicky when he uses spilt screens while Tyson is being interviewed. A mug shot, a side profile and a close up. Perhaps because he realizes that Tyson is actually boring his audience at that point of time. Doesn't work but it doesn't matter. Most of the other stuff is very interesting. These minor lapses can be ignored.
When you think about, given the subject, a feature film may have been an easier ask. A documentary is more challenging. Putting the protagonist under the spotlight, hearing it straight from the horses mouth gives the viewer a better chance to feel his emotions, understand his thought process, something that a glossed over feature may never have been able to manage. Of course it also means that no one else has a say in the matter. The film effective offers Tyson a platform to come clean. The "Baddest Man on the Plant" may be sprouting a halo. Something his detractors may not find amusing. But since we are not one of them, I say enjoy the film rather than getting into these finer details.

[rating:4]