Bleed for This (2016) is an awkward title that does not quite catch on. The title does not catch on, but the subject does.

This is another boxing film, and as far as I can remember, is the year’s boxing movie. Southpaw and Creed have come and gone from the previous year.

It is also a disability (or otherwise able) movie about overcoming.

Undeniably well-meaning, the price of a movie ticket is worth how well it may be done.

There’s good things to expect.

Life affriming

Vinny Pazienza (Miles Teller) is a world title holder when an accident puts a halt to his boxing career. With trainer Kevin Rooney (Aaron Eckhart), Vinny rebuilds for a fight in the ring, against the odds, which may be a death sentence, if his body can’t handle it.

It’s a compelling hook with shades of Me Before You, in terms of an accident that knocks you right down, and of Rocky, of the underdog fighting for self-respect. The two strands connect at this point: when something gets you down, you got to fight for your life and self-respect, which is a positive theme. It’s been done before, but certainly well-worth it.

I like how Bleed for This is about rising up despite the setback. This works in a sports film because sports people are a determined lot, who won’t back down easily.

This life affirming theme comes in a sound package that is bound to have a solid audience this week at the movies.

The players

Starring Miles Teller, who is a twenty-nine year old actor, as Vinny. Miles has packed in a lot of name movies in his career so far, including the remake of Footloose, the Divergent trilogy, Whiplash and the remake of Fantastic Four. He is actor who holds himself well which is going to be important in a boxing/sports film.

As Vinny’s trainer, Aaron Eckhart brings reliability. You can count on him for a solid performance.  Solidness is required for a coaching role, because he’s there to lean on.

Christine Evangelista also features in the film as Ashley. She is popularly known as Sherry in The Walking Dead television series.

Bleed for This is “based on a true story”. The screenplay and direction is by Ben Younger whose most well-known feature film up until this time is Boiler Room (2000) which was well-received.

Rated R for language, sexuality/nudity and some accident images