‘Day of the Fight’ Punches Above Its Weight Class

Jack Huston’s “Day of the Fight” begins with the familiar but becomes something truly special.

To be specific, I was emailed a press note from the director that this isn’t a boxing movie but a movie about a boxer. Alright, but to not undersell it, the film does have a great boxing match as its climax. It also earns its place as a sleeper, a boxing movie akin with “Diggstown” (1992) and “Girlfight” (2000). It’s a smaller, scrappier, less Hollywood take on a well-established sports genre.

In the establishing scenes, we meet boxer Mike Flannigan (Michael Pitt) who we see starting his long day leading up to a fight later on. Huston shot the film in black and white.

As Flannigan does his morning jog through cold streets, wearing warm clothing and a cap, running towards the camera, as triumphant music plays, I was deeply worried. Surely Huston has seen “Rocky” parts 1-6, as well as “Raging Bull” (1980)”?

Did the director and creative team realize they were inching too close to duplication instead of tribute? For much of the beginning, I feared Huston and his team either didn’t know or didn’t care that this is too similar to what came before it to go the distance.

Thankfully, the feeling of déjà vu fades.

The story moves from one encounter to the next, as Flannigan interacts with members of his community, some of whom are rooting for him, while others are weary of him. As the story takes us from one conversation to another, the film took hold. “Day of the Fight” may be overly familiar in the early stretch, but it has a lot of heart and earns the long build up to a great climactic bout.

Pitt, the character actor whom I always associate with “The Dreamers” (2003) and “Funny Games” (2008), has aged well to play Flannigan. He resembles Tom Berenger, connects to the just-keep-moving trajectory of the role and gives an excellent performance.

One of the prime attractions here is to see Joe Pesci on screen again, and the Oscar winner contributes an unexpected turn that I won’t describe. Pesci’s big scene with Pitt is powerful, a result of both performers generously giving their all to a tricky, deeply emotional confrontation.

Ron Perlman (playing Flannigan’s coach) and Nicolette Robinson (as Flannigan’s angry ex) also have hard-hitting scenes that are so well written and performed, this feels less episodic than it actually is. Huston’s film is closer to Rod Serling’s “Requiem for a Heavyweight” than anything involving Apollo Creed or the Italian Stallion.

.@LinseyDavis speaks with actor Michael C. Pitt and director Jack Huston about “Day of the Fight,” an evocative film that follows a once celebrated boxer fighting for a second chance. pic.twitter.com/aUQpVWSWPS

— ABC News Live (@ABCNewsLive) December 12, 2024

There’s a great use of songs on the soundtrack. Get this, Pesci not only co-produced this, along with actress Colleen Camp and others, but also contributed to the soundtrack! Watch the end credits to hear a track with Pesci and Robinson.

Huston excels at keeping the setting neutral, with the New Jersey locations and black and white filming allowing this to stand in for anywhere and in any era. By not leaning into the specifics (no establishing shots of iconic architecture or dates are provided), the story has a timeless feel.

I remember Huston starring in “Hemingway’s In the Garden of Eden” (2008) and his lead in the ill-fated 3-D “Ben-Hur” (2016) remake. I’m happy to report that I’m impressed with his directorial debut. He brings out the best in his cast and applies a sense of style without drowning in it.

“Day of the Fight” may ultimately be a minor entry in the long history of boxing movies but it’s a keeper and worth seeking out. It’s also a comeback vehicle for Pitt and announces the arrival of Huston as a director, another reason why this longshot indie goes the distance.

Three stars

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