Fat City

Fat City 

Moviedrome Introduction

No YT Intro - they appear to alternate

Film Details

Release Date: 1972

Director: John Huston

Stars:

Stacy Keach as Billy Tully
Jeff Bridges as Ernie Munger
Susan Tyrrell as Oma

Plot Summary: 

"Fat City" revolves around the lives of two main characters, Billy Tully (played by Stacy Keach) and Ernie Munger (played by Jeff Bridges), both struggling in their own ways in the harsh world of professional boxing in Stockton, California.

Billy Tully, a down-and-out boxer, is trying to make a comeback after a series of setbacks in his personal and professional life. He meets Ernie Munger, a young and aspiring fighter, and the two form an unlikely friendship as they navigate the challenges of the boxing world. The film explores themes of ambition, perseverance, and the harsh realities of pursuing dreams in a sport that can be both physically and emotionally punishing.

Personal History

Yet another new one on me.

Current Review

John Huston - Director of African Queen and the Maltese Falcon - channels his inner Mike Leigh.

This is a character based film, that defies the conventions of boxing films.  The characters - and there are only three main ones - are either down and outs or going nowhere.

Stacey Keach opens the films - lying on a bed in his pants. He goes to the gym, with an obvious hangover and meets a very beautiful and young Jeff Bridges. Keach "sees" something in Bridges and it is possibly more than his impossibly tight shorts.  He suggests a trainer and the also decides to resurrect his own career. The pair of them train and take part in fights, to various degrees of success.

From a million Rocky films, you think you know what will happen. It doesn't. The fight sequences are not Raging Bull Standard.

Throw in the unforgettable character of Oma, played by Susan Tyrrel.  Keach meets her in a bar, with her black partner (this is important) and they spend the rest of the film boozing, trying to eat a meal of steak and peas (most peas end up on the floor) and co-habiting whilst her original partner is jailed.

Lived in Bars - Susan Tyrrel

No plot spoilers, not that there is much of a plot really. This is a genuine and honest film, that shows ordinary people in non exceptional circumstances. These are good people living fairly grim lives but in the main, they treat each other with respect and care. There is an extraordinary scene towards the end, where Keach returns to Tyrrel's lodgings to find her former jail bird lover has moved back in. You think it will go one way, but they simply exchange pleasantries and he takes back his stuff. All while Tyrrel is screeching like a harridan in the background. Both men just roll their eyes and excuse her. She's on the sauce.

So race needs to be mentioned, but I am not sure what the director is trying to say. The final image is Keech looking around his bar and every other man is a person of colour. He tries to convice Bridges to stay.  Is it because he wants the company of a fellow Caucasian?  Is he desperate for the old days?  Who knows, I'll have to take other peoples reviews in.

I've looked at some and some say it is the greatest Sports film ever.  I disagree - look at Huston's filmography.

Escape to Victory, nine years later.

Quirky Facts 

• Huston originally wanted Marlon Brando for the role of Tulley.  He took too long to make up his mind.
• Jeff Bridges was dedicated to his character's authenticity. He spent time training at a local boxing gym to better understand the physical and emotional challenges faced by boxers.
• Leonard Gardner, the author of the novel on which the film is based, makes a cameo appearance in "Fat City." He appears briefly as a bartender in the film.
• Susan Tyrrell, who played the role of Oma in the film, received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance. This nomination is notable considering the film's relatively modest commercial success.

Quotes

• "Nobody hits as hard as life. It ain't how hard you can hit. It's how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." - Tulley
• Director John Huston has said of this film: "I believed very much in the film but would have been happy if it was well received by a selective audience" and "Personally, I admire the down-and-outers depicted in the film, people who have the heroism to take it on the chin in life as well as in the ring."

Sustenance

Only looking for a drink during this viewing. In a change of approach, I did not ask AI for a recommendation. I decided to copy the first drink I saw in the film. An inspired choice, especially as I didn't know how much boozing there would be. This could be a Withnail and I type film, should you so require.

Opening scene depicts a bottle of whiskey on the bed stand.  I have only one Bourbon in, so an easy and apt choice.

Scene (and tone) setter

Just the one

Future Inspiration 

My favourite AI gives three choices, of which I will hopefully progress two;

1) Read the Novel:

• Since "Fat City" is based on Leonard Gardner's novel of the same name, consider reading the source material. It provides additional insights into the characters and the world they inhabit.

2) Explore John Huston's Filmography:

• John Huston, the director of "Fat City," has a rich filmography. Explore his other works, such as "The Maltese Falcon" (1941), "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre" (1948), and "The African Queen" (1951).

3) Visit a Local Boxing Gym or Event:

• Immerse yourself in the world of boxing by attending local boxing events or visiting a boxing gym. It can provide a firsthand experience of the sport and its culture.

1) has good reviews on Goodreads, 2) I had already considered and 3) I am 54 and drink as much as Oma in the film.

I will include an additional

4) Listen to a review podcast

• There is one on the film and one on the book. I will probably give Backlisted a listed on finishing the book.