Tyson

Reviewed by:
Gerasimos Manolatos

Directed by: Joe Wright

The Skinny: He's crazy, hated by most, yet is one of the best ever at what he did. The embattled, misunderstood prizefighter narrates the documentary about his life, and sheds some light at the method to his madness.

The Good: Loathsome. Amazing. Repulsive. Legendary. Insane. Those are the words that usually accompany any mention of the world champion boxer, Mike Tyson. His storied career of ferocious knockouts will eternally be intertwined with his numerous brushes with the law, including a 1992 rape conviction that left an indelible mark on his public persona. The only Tyson people know is the one who spent three years in prison, fooled around with boxing groupies, and bit Evander Holyfield's ear off—twice—which makes Toback's attempt at humanizing the boxer so jarring. Splicing excerpts from archive footage and interviews that border on therapy sessions, Tyson provides a surprisingly thorough, no-punches-pulled look at his life and how a 16-year old orphan from Brooklyn with a high-pitched voice and a rap sheet became the most feared fighter in the universe.

The Bad: The film takes a bit of an awkward swerve when Tyson attempts to describe his fascination with women. It borders on creepiness. Then again, the subject matter isn't exactly the stuff fairy tales are made of, so it's to be expected.

Theater, DVD, or TNT in five years? Go see it. It's full of introspection and self-condemnation, and provides a gripping 90 minutes of clarity about one of the world's most misunderstood sports icons.

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