Disappointing, Disturbing, and Frustrating

Rating: Null/10 (12 February 2005)

Its hard to put in words how agitated this film made me feel. Up until the title fight, the film had so much momentum and promise. Then it cheated and succumbed to a tired, worn out movie cliché where the hero turns his/her back in the ring and the angry antagonist retaliates after the bell rings. Frankie has his head in the clouds and doesn't seem to be paying attention to what unfolds. Hello! The Blue Bear is only the dirtiest fighter on the planet. He never really tells Maggie about the danger she is in being in the ring with such a monster. You'd think he would be a bit on edge. After all his preaching to Maggie about always protecting herself, the scene just doesn't ring true. A cheap shot indeed! I thought Freeman was the best part of the movie and the glue that held it together. The writing was first rate and so was the acting. The ending was a pleasant surprise and a nice payoff. Still doesn't make up for the cheat though. After that, it became one of the hardest films I've ever had to watch. Almost unbearable.