Homeboy (1988)

Surprisingly incoherent and boring

A waste of 90 minutes of my life

The joyful confection is coated in a sparkly gloss, bright enough to gleam from the darkest, most cynical corners.

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

I absolutely liked this movie of a cowboy pugilist that has taken too many hits to the head, but doesn't realize it. Written and starring Mickey Rourke, who is about 26 and in damn good shape. He gets credit of writing the screenplay under the alias of 'Sir' Eddie Cook. Rourke plays Johnny Walker, a quirky cowboy boxer that doesn't want to face the fact he is probably just past his prime; but he can still come up with a devastating knock-out punch. He is given one last shot at a big purse fight in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Along the way, the slow-witted Walker falls in a trap set by a smooth talking hood Wesley Pendergrass(Christopher Walken). Johnny finds himself in a pickle when he wants to help a young woman(Debra Feuer)save her financially strapped sea shore arcade; being hoodwinked in helping con-man Wesley pull off a jewelry heist; or get back in the ring despite being told one blow to his temple bone could possibly cause his head to explode.Rourke and Walken are beyond a doubt outstanding. You just can't help but want to cheer on Johnny Walker. Others in a crowded cast: Thomas Quinn, Jon Polito, Matthew Lewis, Dondre Whitfield, Anthony Alda, Jeanne Daly and Ruben Blades.

Mickey Rourke plays a not too bright guy who boxes and has observable nervous system damage, which shows in the way he walks and holds his face. He does a terrific job in this role.The scenes with Rourke and the beautiful carnival girl are touching.He comes to her aid when she is being harassed by some punks. Later when they are walking together she asks him why he turns his face away as they walk and he says that is because his face looks funny. "No," she tells him. "I like it."The recurring scene in the gym where the white and black trainer play checkers and the old black trainer keeps asking in puzzlement, "What color am I?" (checker piece color) is a classic. The white trainer and checker opponent tells him each time with a kindly smile, "You're black."Christopher Walken evokes a disgusting character in the form of the jerk and criminal the Rourke character looks up to. Walken sees a use for Rourke in his own scumbag plans and "befriends" Rourke.In the course of their contact Rourke asks two questions based on conversation going on around him in an attempt to learn something beyond beyond his own limited world, 1--"What's Granny Smith?"2--"What's Jewish?"The character Rourke evokes is one of the most sympathetic figures in any movie-- one who is not at all swift mentally, physically damaged, yet brave and good hearted.In his physical condition the Rourke character should never have had the fight he did at the end of the movie.I didn't realize Rourke also wrote this movie. My hat is off to him here. The scenes between him and the carnival girl are among the most touching I have seen.

Homeboy is a fantastic film. Not only is it one of my favourite boxing films, it is also one of my favourite films in general. It is about Johnny Walker, a down-and out boxer who has just recently moved into a sea-side resort. Upon arriving, he falls in love with Ruby, a carnival owner who shares a lot in common with Johnny, who it appears Johnny is fighting for.Johnny, who is played by Mickey Rourke, also befriends Wesley Pendergrass (Christopher Walken). Wesley and Johnny form a strong friendship, and it's Rourke's idolisation of Wesley that intriges me. Wesley wants to use Johnny, and half-way through the film he asks Johnny for a favour. Johnny has to choose between the love of Ruby (Debra Feuer)or the friendship of Wesley. Rourke and Walken give excellent performances and Debra Feur gives quite an exceptional performances as well. The music, by Eric Clapton, provides the film with deep emotion.People have slated this film and I really cannot see why. I give this film 10/10.

In homeboy which Mick wrote, he plays a 2nd rate boxer who'll never run with the big boys because he is undisciplined and a alcoholic. Soon Mick befriends Wesley(Walken) a thief and falls in love with a beautiful carnival owner Ruby (Feuer). Homeboy is a dreary little gem with quirky performances from the leads and also shows that Mick has a soft side. A must for all Mick fans. Check it out!