"Phantom Punch" Review - Written by Mathius Mack Gertz

Title: Phantom Punch
Review Date: April, 2010
Year: 2008, Canada
Director: Robert Townsend
Starring:
Ving Rhames ... Sonny Liston
Stacey Dash ... Geraldine Liston
Nicholas Turturro ... Ceasar Novak
Bridgette Wilson-Sampras¹ ... Farah
David Proval ... Savino
Rick Roberts ... Father Alios
Alan Van Sprang ... Nico Orso
Egidio Tari ... Bobby Zazo
Andrew Hinkson ... Muhammad Ali/Cassius Clay
Troy Amos-Ross ... Floyd Patterson
MPAA Rating: R
Studio: Access Motion Pictures
Distributor: Screen Media
Running time: 104 minutes
Official Website: http://www.phantompunchmovie.com/


In the tradition of Rocky and Raging Bull, Phantom Punch tells the rages to riches to death story of heavy weight champion Sonny Liston. Discovered by a Missouri prison chaplain (Rick Roberts), Sonny Liston (Ving Rhames) made an early impression in the prison boxing circuit. Paroled in 1952, he went on to a successful, and colorful. pro boxing career, winning the world heavyweight championship with a first round knock out of Floyd Patterson (Troy Amos-Ross) in September 1962; a crown taken from him by Cassius Clay's infamous 'Phantom Punch' in May 1965, one of the most remarkable moments in sport history. After a year off, he went on to fight until 1970. In between, Liston had numerous runs ins, if not with racism then the mob, if not the mob, then the law. He was found dead by his wife, Geraldine (Stacey Dash) in their Las Vegas home on January 5, 1971 - his death remains a mystery.

Phantom Punch is very well done. While the style is a bit television movie-esque, it nevertheless works very well. Focusing more on the personal travails of Sonny Liston then on his in ring work, there is enough fight scenes to satisfy the fan. The prejudice he suffered at the hands of the press, police and public (including the NAACP) is compelling. Director Townsend gives us a gritty portrait of the fight scene that is realistic and chilling. While short on character development, you don’t mind much because the pacing carries you along like a roller coaster ride. Ultimately a very good film, I cannot speak for its historical accuracy. However, I highly recommend it as an hour and a half of excellent and provocative entertainment.

Review Rating: Four stars.