February 5, 2025

FILMHOUNDS Magazine

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A Tense, Emotional Gut Punch Of A Film – Day Of The Fight (Film Review)

There are few sports that have featured as heavily on celluloid as boxing over the years. The nature of the battle of one man or woman taking on their opponent over twelve rounds is a relatable story in both literal and metaphorical terms. Rocky, Raging Bull, Million Dollar Baby, Cinderella Man – the list is endless. Boxing works as a great allegory for many of life’s struggles, but none more so than championing the underdog. Indeed, the beleaguered pugilist fighting against the odds is well-trodden ground but it always seems there are still more stories to tell, which is where Jack Huston’s directorial debut, Day of the Fight comes into play.

Day of the Fight chronicles the hours before “Irish” Mike Flanagan has his first boxing match since being released from prison for accidentally killing a child in a traffic collision while drunk. Mike spends the day seeing family and friends making amends for his behaviour before incarceration, and trying to be a better man, aware that the fight could not only be his last in career terms, but perhaps the end of his life due to a brain injury suffered years earlier. 

Naturally, and for obvious reasons Day of the Fight on first appearances draws comparisons to Raging Bull. This is probably a little unfair given the monumental task any film would have in living up to a Scorcese masterpiece. The monochrome aesthetic and the subject matter around boxing lends itself to that comparison. However, Day of the Fight is a different animal. Where Raging Bull is concerned with the rise and fall of a great boxer, Day of the Fight is concerned with what comes after the fall. On the face of things, it’s not a hugely eventful film, with a big chunk of the picture spent with Mike visiting with various people in the local neighbourhood, but the relationships and the difficult nature of Flanagan confronting his demons and making peace with himself is really powerful. Jack Huston does an incredible job of taking a story that feels familiar and giving it new life. The framing and composition at points is spectacular in its simplicity and effectiveness, accentuated by some inspired soundtrack choices. 

Michael Pitt is electric here under the stewardship of his former Boardwalk Empire co-star. His performance is understated and believable, and not just in terms of the physical transformation he clearly went through, but the conflicted and troubled mannerisms he is able to get across and his portrayal of the complicated nature of remorse is nothing short of stunning. All this, while still giving a highly convincing depiction of a man who has taken many, many blows to the head, but still has a good heart. Ron Perlman, as always, lights up the screen with his limited screentime as trainer Stevie, while Nicolette Robinson, the ever-reliable John Magaro and Steve Buscemi provide some great  supporting performances. However, the most affecting portrayal outside of Pitt came from Joe Pesci as Flanagan’s father, in one scene conveying more emotion than imaginable without saying a word while his son confronts him about their shared history. It’s a truly stunning performance from Pesci and Pitt that will linger long in the mind.

The pacing of Day of the Fight is not exactly rapid, but nor should it be. This is a tense, emotional drama with multiple layers and a deep examination of a lifetime of trauma and regret. Boxing is very much a secondary feature in the film despite being the central concern of the timeline of events. It’s a really multi-layered piece and the black and white look gives it a timeless feel that makes it stand out as something beyond the usual sports film. Most of all, between them Pitt and Huston have crafted an underdog protagonist that the audience are genuinely rooting for while simultaneously fearing for his safety, which is no mean feat. Day of the Fight is a truly powerful, affecting modern classic that will stay with the audience long after the credits roll. 

Day of the Fight premieres exclusively on the Icon Film Channel from 3 February and is released in UK cinemas from 7 March