Quartile rating: 7/10 · 1 rating
The inspirational story of World Champion Boxer Vinny Pazienza, who after a near fatal car crash, which left him not knowing if he'd ever walk again, made one of sports most incredible comebacks.
Bleed for This follows the well-worn sports biopic formula — underdog, injury, comeback, triumph — with competent but unsurprising execution. Miles Teller delivers a committed physical performance as Vinny Pazienza, and Aaron Eckhart offers solid support, but neither transcends the material. The cinematography is serviceable and period-appropriate without being visually distinctive. The film's novelty suffers from its adherence to genre conventions; despite being a genuinely remarkable true story, the cinematic treatment feels familiar. The ending delivers the expected catharsis without subverting or elevating the genre.