TRIBECA FILM FEST 2014: GLASS CHIN
Throughout the years, filmmakers have flocked to creating boxing movies. From Raging Bull to Rocky, The Hurricane and Million Dollar Baby, we as an audience love them and writers love to write them. The underdog story, the excitement of a boxing ring, and the corruption behind the scenes makes for compelling storytelling. Tribeca’s entry into the Boxing world this year is no different, and it’s the best film I’ve seen in the festival so far. GLASS CHIN tells the tale of Bud “The Saint” Gordon (Corey Stoll), a once on top of the world Heavyweight fighter, who is now just looking to make it day to day. He lives with his girlfriend (Marin Ireland) in New Jersey but is dying for something different, something with a touch from the past. The only glimmer of hope has come with helping an up and coming boxer, but another larger opportunity comes when a dirty businessman named JJ (Billy Crudup) offers him a deal he can't refuse: a chance to bring his now closed restaurant to Manhattan, and to earn some extra, fast money. You can probably guess how well that goes.
Writer/Director Noah Buschel (The Missing Person, Sparrows Dance) has crafted a beauty of a film. The cinematography by Ryan Samul (We Are What We Are) is gorgeous; the way he frames the city and lingers on his subjects rings of true originality. Buschel directs his actors with grace and care as well, not always framing in on the person speaking or leaving certain characters in the shadows. You feel the darkness surrounding Bud and the need for his struggle. As Bud, Stoll hits a true breakout performance. His performance is battered and beaten, and he showcases his desperation in every single small movement. Crudup also delivers a knockout performance, making his crooked gangster smooth, slimy, and powerful without ever raising his voice. A scene set in Bud's kitchen between the two is one of the strongest two person scenes I've seen in quite some time; two actors truly living in the scene. Ireland's performance as the suffering girlfriend of a boxer out of his prime is sad and sweet; touching without ever ringing false.
With original, styalistic shots, deliberate slow pacing, and performances that truly shine, GLASS CHIN is a powerful piece of cinematic theatre. One that lingers with you long after the ending fades away.
VERDICT: MUST SEE
Written and Directed By: Noah Buschel Starring: Corey Stoll, Billy Crudup, Marin Ireland, Yul Vazquez, Kelly Lynch, John Douglas Thompson. For Tribeca Tickets and more info: TICKETS
BOTTOM LINE: Between the tight, focused script, cinematography that give enormous aesthetic beauty, and powerful performances, this is a MUST SEE by all accounts.